DH Investigates Illegal Blood Testing Services Promoted on Social Media for Pregnant Women in Hong Kong

DH follows up on suspected illegal importation of blood samples for testing in Hong Kong

The Department of Health (DH) has recently received media enquiries concerning individuals who promote services on social media platforms that involve arranging blood draws for pregnant women on the Chinese Mainland and smuggling blood samples into Hong Kong for fetal gender testing. The DH today (January 21) stated that it has immediately followed up on the matter and referred relevant information regarding the two laboratories in question to the Medical Laboratory Technologists Board for appropriate actions against the registered Medical Laboratory Technologists concerned, in accordance with the Allied Health Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359). Under the Ordinance, no registered Medical Laboratory Technologist may perform tests for the purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment without a referral from a registered medical practitioner or other specified healthcare professional.

The pregnant women, Photo source: reference image

The DH has also notified the relevant Mainland authorities.

According to the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A), any person who imports any excreta, secretion, blood or blood component that the person has reason to suspect contains an infectious agent should obtain prior written permission from the DH. The maximum penalty upon convictionis a fine of $5,000 and two months' imprisonment.

Investigation by the DH revealed that the two laboratories involved - NovaGene Diagnostic Laboratory Limited and Zentrogene Bioscience Laboratory Limited - falsely claimed in online postings to be "medical laboratories accredited by the DH". This information is false and misleading, as the DH does not accredit any medical laboratories. Furthermore, DH records show that two other institutions, named "Nova Medical" and "Hong Kong BOYA Medical Center", have neither applied for clinic licences or letters of exemption for small practice clinics under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633), nor registered under the Medical Clinics Ordinance (Cap. 343). Despite this, "Hong Kong BOYA Medical Center" claimed to be a "Hong Kong registered medical clinic". The DH has referred these cases to the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department for follow-up and requested the removal of all misleading statements.

In addition, during the investigation, the DH found that advertisements for other services published on the websites of the relevant medical centres involved are suspected of breaching the Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance (Cap. 231). The DH has issued warnings to the medical centres and ordered the immediate removal of the non-compliant advertisements.

The DH will continue to follow up on the matter seriously and take enforcement actions in accordance with the relevant regulations, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, to safeguard public health.

The Department of Health (DH), Photo source: news.gov.hk

CMAB responds to media enquiries

In response to media enquiries regarding the Director of the Tianjin Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has further responded today (January 21) as follows:

Regarding the concerns arising from the social media posts issued by Mr Ricky Cheng Chun-sang, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has undertaken further investigation. It has been considered that the incident in which Mr Cheng's seat being upgraded on a vessel during his earlier trip to Macao is suspected of breaching the provisions under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance regarding civil servants accepting advantages without permission. The matter has already been referred to law enforcement agencies for follow up.

Mr Cheng is a contract staff of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The bureau has decided to terminate his contract with immediate effect.