The Body Shop Taiwan Founder Dies After Treatment by Unlicensed Practitioners; Clinic Staff Ordered to Pay Damages

The tragic death of Huang Hui-chuan, the founder of The Body Shop Taiwan and a figure often dubbed the 'godmother of the beauty industry,' has sent shockwaves through the nation. Huang, who passed away in September 2021 after falling into a coma during a cosmetic treatment at Taipei's "Fayoung Clinic," succumbed to her injuries after 70 days in intensive care. This incident has brought to light the dangerous reality of unlicensed medical practitioners, or 'secret doctors,' operating within Taiwan's aesthetic medicine sector.

Investigations revealed that the clinic's负责人, Fu Yang-yeh, and a nurse, Lin Ting-yu, both lacked the necessary physician's licenses to perform invasive procedures. Despite this, they administered treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections, allegedly leading to Huang's fatal condition. The legal proceedings have been lengthy and complex. Criminal charges were filed against Fu and Lin for violating the Physician Act and for falsifying medical records, with sentences handed down in the second instance and later upheld by the Supreme Court. The civil lawsuit, filed by Huang's only son, sought NT$5 million in damages.

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The clinic's负责人 and nurse were found to be practicing without physician licenses, engaging in secret medical practices.

In the civil case, the courts found Fu and Lin liable for negligence and unlawful infringement of Huang's health rights. Initially, the Taipei District Court ordered them to pay over NT$3.71 million. This amount was later adjusted to over NT$3.61 million by the Taiwan High Court, a decision that was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court, bringing the case to a close. This verdict underscores the severe consequences of practicing medicine without a license and the importance of patient safety in the burgeoning field of cosmetic procedures. For Taiwan, this case serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent oversight and enforcement to protect citizens from unqualified practitioners, especially within an industry that thrives on trust and vulnerability.

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The court ordered Fu and Lin to jointly compensate NT$3.61 million.