Minister Criticizes Medical Aesthetic Clinic for Willful Violation, Demands Suspension

Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that the AiErLi medical aesthetic clinic's alleged installation of hidden cameras was a willful and intentional act, not an isolated incident. He deemed it unforgivable and has requested the Department of Medical Affairs to impose a suspension of operations. The clinic's Banqiao branch was found to have suspected hidden cameras in smoke detectors. Investigations by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office and police uncovered disguised surveillance equipment in multiple branches. The clinic's president, Chang Ru-shan, an assistant, and a vendor were arrested and detained on charges of obstructing sexual privacy. Shih emphasized that pre-collection of medical fees has been strictly prohibited for years. Given the scale of the chain and the nature of the violations, a suspension is warranted. According to Article 108 of the Medical Affairs Act, violations related to management negligence can result in fines of NT$50,000 to NT$500,000, or more severe penalties like suspension or license revocation. Regarding calls for stricter legislation, Shih noted that health records are considered special personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act, requiring patient consent for collection, and unauthorized collection can lead to criminal charges. The ministry will focus on this case and will instruct local health bureaus to enhance inspections of medical institutions annually, including checking for hidden surveillance devices. The ministry will also consider whether to implement evaluations for large-scale clinics.