Hospital advises against using colostrum: may be sued but patients support

Many patients said that when they heard that the Da Nang Oncology Hospital's propaganda against using colostrum was opposed by distributors of a milk company, they still supported the hospital.

Da Nang Oncology Hospital has deleted the propaganda message with the image of A milk. - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Previously, Tuoi Tre Online received feedback from many distributors of A. milk (abbreviated name) about the image of this milk being crossed out being posted on the propaganda display board at the nutrition department of Da Nang Oncology Hospital.

Accompanying that is the content: "Colostrum should not be used because it has very low energy and protein and no EPA. It will worsen malnutrition and be costly for the patient."

Hospitals can be sued

Lawyer Nguyen Van Tu, Da Nang City Bar Association, said that in the above case, the hospital used the image of the enterprise's milk product without the consent or permission of this enterprise, which is a violation of the law.

Lawyer Tu said: "Considering the content of the information that the hospital presented, although the purpose was to warn patients about the exaggerated effects of the milk product, based on the research results of doctors at the hospital, however, this research result is not yet the conclusion of the competent authority.

Therefore, displaying unverified negative information about this milk product can cause distortion, damage the reputation, and affect the legitimate rights and interests of the business.

Depending on the nature, extent and consequences of the act, the hospital may be subject to sanctions such as administrative penalties and be responsible for compensating the injured party for the act caused.

According to the law, in case an organization violates, it may be subject to administrative sanctions according to the provisions of Point g, Clause 3, Article 102 of Decree 15/2020/ND-CP on "Providing, exchanging, transmitting or storing, using digital information to threaten, harass, distort, slander, or insult the reputation of an organization, honor, dignity, and reputation of others". The fine for this act is also from 10 to 20 million VND and the consequences must be remedied.

For the benefit of the patient

Mr. Thanh Tuan (a relative of a patient being treated at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital) said he was very upset when he heard the news that A. Milk had made a record of the hospital's propaganda that patients should not use colostrum.

"I was also introduced to this milk as colostrum from cows raised in the best environment in New Zealand. When the seller learned that my mother had cancer, he said that this milk was very good for people undergoing radiation therapy, and that their family members were also undergoing radiation therapy, and that drinking this milk was very healthy. Just looking at the price, you can understand how good the milk is...

However, when I asked a simple question: why does the milk say it's imported from New Zealand but the box has both Chinese and Vietnamese on it, the seller couldn't answer," Mr. Tuan was upset.

A. Milk is sold through a system of distribution in the Vietnamese market - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Ms. Ngo Thi Loan (a patient at this hospital) said that she was introduced to this "miraculous" colostrum, priced at 1.2 million VND/450g box, with enough nutrients for cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, so despite the difficulties, she still tried to buy it to use on days when she was on medication and her body was tired.

"Doctors see many patients who are in difficult circumstances but still save up to buy expensive milk boxes with exaggerated effects, so they advise patients.

Although posting photos of breast milk directly is not right or can lead to lawsuits, in terms of medical ethics and responsibility to patients, we strongly support the doctors," said Ms. Loan.

The leaders of the Da Nang Oncology Hospital confirmed that the propaganda information was based on the composition table of milk which did not provide enough energy for cancer patients while the price was quite expensive. However, considering that showing the image of milk directly was inappropriate, the hospital deleted the image and continued to promote it to patients.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/benh-vien-khuyen-khong-dung-sua-non-co-the-bi-kien-nhung-benh-nhan-ung-ho-20241230101148373.htm