Rome: police seize illegal clinic for Chinese citizens

Milan, 20 November (LaPresse) – It operated like a normal cosmetic surgery clinic, complete with an operating theatre, anaesthetist and surgeon, but in reality the facility was completely illegal. This was discovered by the State Police in an illegal clinic in Viale Palmiro Togliatti, advertised on Chinese-language websites and aimed exclusively at Chinese citizens. The investigation, launched by the Administrative Division of the Rome Police Headquarters, began with an advertisement that appeared online last June, offering invasive cosmetic procedures – such as breast augmentation, liposuction and abdominoplasty – for thousands of euros, complete with transport services for customers. The “suspicious” offer prompted the police to investigate the company managing the facility. During subsequent inspections, it emerged that the clinic was operating in premises other than those authorised by the Lazio Region and without the necessary health certifications. Moreover, although it was only authorised to perform minor procedures, it was actually “hosting” major surgical operations, which, as such, require general anaesthesia and much higher safety standards.