Placentas for sale at 20 yuan
By Zhang Xuanchen |
May 7, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HEALTH authorities are investigating an illegal trade in human placentas that was said to be thriving in a hospital in south China's Guangdong Province.
Authorities with the Health Bureau of Baiyun District in Guangzhou City said the Red Cross Hospital of Baiyun District will face punishment and fines if tip-offs they received were verified, yesterday's New Express Daily reported.
A whistleblower identified as "A Hui" said human placentas - considered a rich source of nutrients by some people - were being sold at 20 yuan (US$ 3.08) each by nurses at the hospital's department of obstetrics and gynecology.
According to the whistleblower, the nurses kept fresh placentas they obtained from women who had given birth in a fridge in an office.
He said his wife, who gave birth at the hospital last year, had her placenta taken away without receiving any notification.
He then began to pay attention to the hidden business, which was banned by China's Health Ministry in 2005.
A New Express Daily reporter went undercover to purchase a placenta.
After receiving 20 yuan, a chief nurse took out one in a plastic bag and told the reporter that it should be stewed with lean meat and Chinese dates for about an hour.
Human placentas are banned from trade due to health concerns.
They supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy and allow fetal waste to be disposed of via the mother's kidneys.
The placenta can be infected during labor or carry viruses such as hepatitis B from the mother, according to doctors.
Authorities with the Health Bureau of Baiyun District in Guangzhou City said the Red Cross Hospital of Baiyun District will face punishment and fines if tip-offs they received were verified, yesterday's New Express Daily reported.
A whistleblower identified as "A Hui" said human placentas - considered a rich source of nutrients by some people - were being sold at 20 yuan (US$ 3.08) each by nurses at the hospital's department of obstetrics and gynecology.
According to the whistleblower, the nurses kept fresh placentas they obtained from women who had given birth in a fridge in an office.
He said his wife, who gave birth at the hospital last year, had her placenta taken away without receiving any notification.
He then began to pay attention to the hidden business, which was banned by China's Health Ministry in 2005.
A New Express Daily reporter went undercover to purchase a placenta.
After receiving 20 yuan, a chief nurse took out one in a plastic bag and told the reporter that it should be stewed with lean meat and Chinese dates for about an hour.
Human placentas are banned from trade due to health concerns.
They supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy and allow fetal waste to be disposed of via the mother's kidneys.
The placenta can be infected during labor or carry viruses such as hepatitis B from the mother, according to doctors.
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