Nghe An rectifies the situation of impersonating doctors to deceive people

In some localities in Nghe An, there is a situation where some individuals and organizations impersonate doctors to illegally examine and treat patients and sell functional foods.

The whole poor village... has fatty liver (?!)

Recently, in some mountainous districts of Nghe An province such as Ky Son, Que Phong... a group of people wearing white coats appeared in some communes and villages to provide free health check-ups for people. After conducting health check-ups and consultations, this group of people introduced functional food products and sold them to people.

On June 10, 2025, the above-mentioned group of people examined, treated and sold functional foods to people in Keo Luc village, Pha Danh commune (Ky Son). The two products sold were "Bao Minh pills" and "An Binh bone and joint pills", priced at 1.4 million VND. After a 50% discount, people needed to spend 700,000 VND to buy the two products. In Pha Danh commune alone, this group of people sold nearly 200 products.

A group of people give health check-ups to people in Keo Luc village, Pha Danh commune (Ky Son district). Photo: Document

Upon receiving the information, Nghe An Department of Health has clearly identified this group of subjects as belonging to Viet My International Investment and Consulting Joint Stock Company (address: No. 23, Alley 4, Lane 362, Giai Phong Street, Thinh Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi City). The medical examination and treatment activities of this company have not been approved by the Department of Health, violating the provisions of the law.

On June 11, 2025, the Department of Health issued a document requesting the People's Committee of Ky Son district to immediately stop the activities of the above company, at the same time, requesting strict handling of violations and taking corrective measures according to regulations. Through investigation, a doctor at the Ky Son District Medical Center confirmed: "All people who came for examination were diagnosed with the same disease - fatty liver, even without any tests. This is a sophisticated form of fraud, targeting people in the highlands who have little information and are very afraid of diseases."

2 products were sold to people by a group of people from Viet My International Investment and Consulting Joint Stock Company. Photo: Document

It is worth noting that the phenomenon of impersonating doctors to sell functional foods is not new. In previous years, this situation "blossomed" in Vinh city and the delta districts. After being discovered and handled by the authorities, the group of subjects moved their activities to remote areas where management is still limited.

"Ghost" medical facilities are rampant

The situation of fake medical examination and treatment facilities not only occurs in mountainous areas but also infiltrates urban areas in another form. Disguised advertising on social networks. Users only need to type in search keywords related to disease symptoms, immediately advertising pages will "automatically find" according to personalized algorithms.

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“In August 2024, I had back pain so I looked it up on Facebook and saw an advertisement for a facility called the Vietnam Neurological and Orthopedic Institute, so I went there for treatment. After 1 session of using the "electric transmission into the body" therapy, not only did I not get better, but my pain got worse. When I found out, I found out that this was not a licensed medical facility. I asked for a refund for the 10 sessions I paid for but was not refunded.”

Ms. Tran Thi Bich Van (57 years old), residing in block 5, Hung Nguyen town, Hung Nguyen district

Health Care Center - Vietnam Neurological and Orthopedic Institute is the facility that Ms. Tran Thi Bich Van denounced. Photo: Thanh Chung

When the reporter tried to use his Facebook account to search for a bone and joint treatment facility in Vinh city, a series of facilities automatically found their personal pages according to the social network's advertising algorithm. For example, the account "Nghe An Center for Bone and Joint Treatment of the Nervous System" or "Dr. Le Quoc Viet - Orthopedic Specialist - Vinh City" had beautiful advertisements; "Cure bone and joint diseases - spine - nervous system, cost only 499k", "Cure disc herniation - Osteoarthritis - Pain and numbness in limbs from only 499k".

The characteristics of the above-mentioned pages are that they do not clearly state their locations; do not have operating licenses issued by the Department of Health or the Ministry of Health ; and use images and statements of fake “doctors” and “medical staff” for advertising. These pages all have automatic messages installed. Any citizen who clicks on the page will receive a message asking about their pain or illness, introducing services, and asking people to leave their phone numbers. The staff of the “ghost” medical examination and treatment facility will use this phone number to check their background and guide people to the right facility.

Advertisements of ghost medical facilities deceive people. Photo: Thanh Chung

Early correction

Faced with the situation of "underground" humanitarian health examinations and the sale of functional foods, "fake doctors" defrauding medical examinations and treatment, Nghe An Department of Health has recently issued documents to rectify and warn. Accordingly, on June 9, 2025, Nghe An Department of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 2340/SYT-NVY on strengthening management and transparency of information when posting medical examination and treatment services on social networks.

Nghe An Department of Health stated: Currently, on social networks, there is a lot of advertising and introduction of medical examination, treatment and health care services, including many untrue contents, exaggerating the effects, causing misunderstanding for people, affecting the reputation of the health sector and the rights of patients. Some individuals and organizations take advantage of social networks to promote unlicensed services, causing serious consequences for people's health.

The Department of Health requests the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to direct press agencies in the province to step up propaganda to people to choose medical facilities with full information published transparently, clearly, licensed to operate (Name of facility; Address; License number issued by the Department of Health or Ministry of Health) and have information confirming advertising content.

Advertisements of ghost medical facilities deceive people. Photo: Thanh Chung

When posting any information related to medical examination, treatment, health care or professional consultation services on social networks (Facebook, Zalo, Tiktok, YouTube, Website...), medical examination and treatment facilities, both public and private, must attach full information of the unit; absolutely do not use images or statements of doctors and medical staff to advertise in a misleading manner, not in accordance with the nature of the profession; only advertise content that has been confirmed by competent authorities. Any advertising that does not comply with regulations will be strictly handled according to the provisions of law.

Then, on June 16, 2025, Nghe An Department of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 2479/SYT-NVY to strengthen the management of humanitarian medical examination and treatment activities to the People's Committees of districts, cities, towns and public and non-public medical facilities in the province. The Department requested that localities organize periodic inspections, promptly detect and strictly handle illegal medical examination and treatment activities. For medical examination and treatment facilities, the Department of Health requires unit leaders to be responsible for strict management and full compliance with legal regulations when implementing humanitarian medical examination and treatment programs and mobile health examinations. It is strictly forbidden to organize or participate in activities that have not been permitted by competent authorities.

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Nghe An Department of Health has assigned specific tasks to functional departments, district, town and city health centers to strengthen supervision, promptly guide and rectify mobile medical examination and treatment activities in the area. Units absolutely must not participate in or coordinate the organization of unlicensed medical examination and treatment activities. The Department also recommends that people do not use medical examination and treatment services with advertising information of unknown origin, lacking legal basis, with elements of "sensational headlines", idolizing treatment methods, especially advertisements for chronic disease treatment, the best effectiveness, and commitments to complete recovery.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Le - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Health

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/nghe-an-chan-chinh-tinh-trang-gia-danh-bac-si-de-lua-nguoi-dan-10300243.html