Bogus medical institute earns $1.6 mln selling awards  

醫衛行業學會明碼標價賣獎牌

就在今年1月11日，一個名叫“醫院管理學會”的組織在北京召開了名為“2013中國醫院管理學術年會暨頒獎典禮”，這里頒出的獎項全是明碼標價，很多與會者就是為了一塊牌子，愿意花高價前來“購買”。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- China's state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) has exposed an illegal medical organization that makes money by selling fake awards, the Beijing Times reported.

CCTV said the Chinese Hospital Management Association, which claims to be a subordinate of the country's health authority, had invited numerous hospitals and medical enterprises to its annual award ceremony.

All attendees receive awards as long as they pay fees, and former officials from the National Health and Family Planning Commission will be in attendance, the association said.

Reporters found that the association had sold 321 awards this year, making nearly 10 million yuan (about US$1.6 million).

Prices vary for fake titles, including "Public Satisfied Hospital" at 22,000 yuan ($3,626), "10 National Model Hospital" at 28,000 yuan ($4,615), and "Model Hospital Chief" for 18,000 yuan ($2,966).

The association said it can also issue any made-up title a client wants.

"We say you are a model worker or organization, then you are," said an organizer at the award ceremony. "All certificates have our stamps."

Reporters learned that more than 321 hospitals and companies, including a catering firm, attended the ceremony last month.

The organizer said the association had paid a great deal for the former officials and experts to attend, and that an award ceremony had been held twice a year for about five years.

Staff at the National Health and Family Planning Commission said the association was not its subordinate, nor could it be found on the list of social organizations on the civil affairs website.

The website of the association has not been accessible since the report by CCTV.