Shenzhen hospital sealed off�

A Shenzhen plastic surgery hospital accused of performing illegal�

breast enhancements�has been ordered closed by health officials.�

Mimi Lau�

Thursday, May 25, 2006

A Shenzhen plastic surgery hospital accused of performing illegal breast�

enhancements has been ordered closed by health officials.

At the same time, the Public Security Bureau is investigating assaults on�

Hong Kong newsmen by guards and staff of Shenzhen Fuhua Aesthetics�

Hospital Monday and Tuesday.

Citing the hospital's "chaotic management" and the need to preserve evidence�

for investigation, the Municipal Health Bureau ordered the hospital closed�

until May 30.

The bureau said its investigation will focus on whether the hospital had�

performed enhancements using hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel, or PAAG,�

after the substance was banned across the country in late April.

It expects the investigation to last about a week.

The bureau said it had sealed the hospital to investigate public complaints�

about its use of PAAG implants.

A bureau spokesman said the hospital will not be allowed to admit new�

patients although current patients will continue to receive care.

Meanwhile, the hospital's deputy chief and four other medical staff were�

arrested Wednesday in connection with the attack on Hong Kong journalists�

covering China's first civil lawsuit against the use of PAAG implants.

The Public Security Bureau said six people were being questioned in�

relation to a "crowd fight" after hospital staff refused to allow television�

filming outside the building.

The PSB said it had received reports of journalists being attacked Monday�

night and the following afternoon. Hong Kong television stations showed�

ATV journalist Anderson Chan Hing- cheong being kicked and punched,�

and his mobile phone being confiscated, Monday night.

Chan suffered bruises and scratches to his neck, back, arms and legs in�

the melee.

At one time in the fight, women in white coats were seen joining a group�

of males in the attack.

Shenzhen mayor Xu Zhongheng ordered an investigation and vowed to�

preserve public order and protect journalists' rights to cover news events.

Hong Kong security chief Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said the SAR government�

was concerned about the incident but was confident Shenzhen authorities�

will handle the case fairly.