Another Medical Aesthetic Clinic Fined for Illegal Recording; Total Reaches 21 Across Taiwan

(Central News Agency, Reporter Shen Peiyao, Taipei, 11th) The wave of illegal recording incidents at medical aesthetic clinics continues. The Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) today released the latest list of penalties. One new violator, the Yilan Guang Ze Clinic, has been added, receiving the maximum fine of NT$500,000 and a 6-month suspension of operations. The total number of clinics penalized has now reached 21.

Since May 27, the MOHW has officially published the "List of Medical Institutions Penalized for Violating Patient Privacy" on the aesthetic medicine section of the medical inquiry system, updating it weekly.

Lu Nien-tzu, Senior Technical Specialist of the MOHW's Department of Medical Affairs, explained the latest penalty situation today. As of June 10, a total of 1,761 clinic inspections have been conducted across Taiwan, an increase of 405 from the previous week's 1,356.

Regarding the addition of one new penalized clinic, Lu stated that the Yilan Guang Ze Clinic was fined the maximum amount of NT$500,000 and ordered to suspend operations for 6 months by the local health bureau for violating Article 108 of the Medical Care Act, which prohibits "improper business practices that are detrimental to public morals or human health." The total number of non-compliant clinics now stands at 21.

There are approximately over 20,000 clinics across Taiwan, including Western medicine primary care, Chinese medicine, and dental clinics. Lu noted that the initial cases exposed involved large chain medical aesthetic groups such as Aierli, Guang Ze Clinic, and Shengyi Clinic. Therefore, medical aesthetic clinics are the primary targets of inspection, but inspections are not limited to them and will continue for other clinics to protect public rights.

Following a series of suspected illegal recording incidents at medical aesthetic clinics, the Department of Medical Affairs convened a meeting on May 13 and reached a four-point consensus on recording in medical institutions: a strict ban on using covert recording devices; normal cameras allowed in public areas for public safety; recording permitted in low-privacy spaces like general consultation rooms with consent; and recording prohibited in high-privacy spaces like operating rooms as a principle. (Editor: Li Xizhang) 1150611