Six suspects involved in a case of fake birth certificates at a hospital in Xiangyang, Hubei province, including the hospital’s president, have been arrested with the approval of the local procuratorate, according to a statement by the city’s government.
The private Xiangyang Jianqiao Hospital allegedly colluded with agencies to sell birth certificates to register trafficked children.
This was exposed by a user on Weibo who went undercover at the hospital for a year, according to media reports.
Four other suspects have been placed under criminal detention by local police. Investigations and disciplinary actions against other involved medical personnel are currently underway.
The local health department revoked the doctor’s practising certificate of the hospital’s president alongside a nurse’s practising certificate of another person.
The hospital’s authorisation to issue medical birth certificates and engage in maternal and child healthcare services has also been revoked.
Local authorities have also started investigations into the dereliction of duty and violations of laws and regulations by relevant officials and personnel.
To date, 13 suspects have been placed under investigation. — China Daily/ANN
