NBI ARRESTS 7 FOR ILLEGAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN MAKATI

In an effort to eradicate the proliferation of individuals engaged in the unauthorized practice of medicine, the National Bureau of Investigation – National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) intensified its campaign against individuals involved in the said unlawful activities.

This resulted in the arrest of seven people accused of illegal practice of medicine in Makati City.

Suspects alias “Maria,” alias “Mariam,” alias “Mayra,” alias “Zuri,” alias “Princess,”  alias John Lloyd” and alias “Mar” were arrested for violation of Section 10 of Republic Act  2382 (The Medical Act of 1959) and Section 11(a) of R.A.  9711 (The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009).

The operation stemmed from a complaint about a botched “Thread Lift Procedure” at the “Lavender Clinic” which  the victim found through social media.

The woman said she developed a soft tissue infection after procedure, which was conducted under unsanitary conditions.

The complainant discovered after the procedure that the practitioners who conducted the procedure were not licensed medical professionals and only had minimal training from a foreign employer.

In response to the complaint, agents from the NBI-NCR carried out a series of surveillance operations which revealed that the clinic was offering medical procedures to potential clients.

During the surveillance, the clinic staff were questioned about the qualifications of the individuals performing the procedures. They claimed that the practitioners were “aesthetic nurses,” but they refused to provide any names or professional licenses.

Moreover, the agents were able to identify the medical products being offered and used by the clinic for their medical procedures.

Further surveillance showed that the clinic is owned by a certain Gabriel who was found to be an unlicensed physician, according to verification from the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC).

Additionally, verification with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed that the products used by the clinic are unregistered.

 NBI-NCR agents immediately conducted an entrapment operation which resulted in the arrest of the seven suspects who were caught in the act of performing medical procedures without proper licenses.

The seven were found to be not licensed healthcare professionals.

All arrested suspects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the Prosecutor, Makati City.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago commended the NBI-NCR agents for the successful operation.