Chinese doctor fired for telling parents to give babies protein drink instead of formula milk
- Hospital in Guangdong province says none of the babies given the over-the-counter product have shown any ill effects so far
- Case follows a scandal in Hunan province earlier this year, where five children fell ill after being given fake formula milk
A doctor in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong has been sacked for recommending protein drinks for babies.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Huizhou city in the southeast of the province, a doctor surnamed Chen was removed from the city’s No 2 Maternity and Childcare Hospital due to misconduct.
Chen, 40, was found to have recommended an over-the-counter protein drink as an alternative to formula milk to 43 babies who were allergic to normal milk. The authorities started investigating the case in May after concerned parents complained to the hospital.
None of the 43 babies who consumed the protein drink have so far shown any signs of ill health and the hospital promised to offer free health checks and medical treatment for all affected children in the future.
It also apologised to the parents.
Zhang Xiaofeng, a doctor from a maternity hospital in Hubei province, said protein drinks are not a suitable substitute for formula milk because it does not give them the nutrition they require.
