China's health body probes hospital after surrogacy claims

Weibo

06/05/2024 08:43

HONG KONG, May 6 (Reuters) - China's National Health
Commission said it was investigating a hospital in the southwest
megacity of Chongqing for its alleged involvement in surrogacy,
which is illegal in China, after wide circulation of the issue
on social media.
    The incident comes after a series of official investigations
last year related to the issuance of fake birth certificates at
a time when China is trying to boost its birth rate. 
    Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital has been
cooperating with illegal surrogacy agencies, a post on Chinese
social media platform Weibo said on Sunday. 
    Surrogate mothers would use forged ID cards to give birth in
the hospital and forged birth certificates would be made after
the babies were born, according to the post, made by a user
called Shangguan Zhengyi, who describes himself as a volunteer
fighting child trafficking.  
    A team had been set up to investigate and verify the
situation, the local Chongqing health committee said in a
statement on its website on Sunday in response to the post. 
   "Once verified, it (the hospital) will be dealt with
seriously in accordance with laws and regulations." 
    Chongqing Angel Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital did not
immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.
    The Weibo post on the hospital was one of the top trending
items on Monday, drawing hundreds of comments. 
    "This industry always seems to have existed," said one
comment by a user called Wensheng. Another user called XJ said:
"This is an industrial chain, not something that can be
accomplished by one person."
    China said last year it would "severely crack down" on
illegal activities related to the use of assisted reproductive
technologies such as the buying or selling of sperm or eggs and
surrogacy.
    It suspended a hospital and judicial institute in Wuhan in
November after they were accused of surrogacy and issuing fake
paternity results. 
    Birth certificates are required in China for obtaining
household registration and are necessary for vaccinations,
medical insurance enrolment and application for a social
security card.

 (Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; editing by
Lincoln Feast.)
 ((farah.master@thomsonreuters.com; +852 3462 7709;))