5 Vietnamese charged with medical malpractice

MANILA, Philippines — Criminal cases were filed against five Vietnamese who were arrested in Ermita, Manila for medical malpractice, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported on Tuesday night.

Thu Tra, Thi Xuan Nguyen, Phan Thi My Linh, Dang Thi Cam Ly and Pham Thu Trang underwent inquest proceedings before the Manila prosecutor’s office for violation of Republic Act 2382, or the Medical Act and estafa.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the foreigners were posing as licensed physicians, nurses and medical technologists while running a cosmetics clinic along Jorge Bocobo street.

Acting on the information, the NBI verified the status of the suspects at the Professional Regulation Commission, which confirmed the foreigners are not authorized to practice medicine in the country.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the NBI’s special task force in an entrapment operation at their clinic last July 18.

Seized during the raid were Vietnamese medicines and various medical devices.

Santiago stressed the NBI will not tolerate illicit activities regardless of the nationality of the perpetrators.