What does the hospital say about the backlash when advising cancer patients not to use colostrum?

The Da Nang Oncology Hospital has just removed the nutritional propaganda board that advises against using colostrum after receiving backlash from many distributors of this milk. The hospital director affirmed that he will still give direct advice to patients based on scientific facts.

The propaganda display board has been removed - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Tuoi Tre Online received feedback from a number of distributors of milk A. (abbreviated name). Distributors of this milk product said they were very upset when they saw the image of the product they were selling appear on the nutrition propaganda screen at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital.

Post product image, advise patients not to use

According to the feedback, the image of this milk with a cross out was posted with the content: "Do not use colostrum because it has very low energy and protein and does not contain EPA. It will worsen malnutrition and be costly for patients."

Ms. T., a distributor of A. milk, said: "The TV screen in the hospital's nutrition examination lobby continuously plays a video clip with images of the product I am selling. Such a repeated message with negative conclusions affects our business and brand."

A person claiming to be a representative of this milk brand reflected: "We need the hospital to clarify the accuracy of the information. The above message causes distortion and misunderstanding for our customers and distributors, damaging our reputation and brand.

As a public health facility, the hospital needs to ensure that all information presented adheres to scientific, ethical and impartial standards."

What does the hospital say?

From the reflection, Tuoi Tre Online visited the Da Nang Oncology Hospital for many days at the end of December but could not record the above image. However, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, director of Da Nang Oncology Hospital, confirmed that the above reflection was correct.

Mr. Hung said that the price of this milk is quite expensive while the nutrition for cancer patients is not high, not suitable for cancer patients. Experts and doctors all came to the same conclusion after many seminars, discussions, and analysis of the ingredients of this milk.

"Most of the cancer patients at the hospital are poor but still try to spend a lot of money to buy this milk, partly because some sellers exaggerate the benefits of the milk while considering the inappropriate ingredients, the hospital's nutrition department has sent out media information not to use that milk.

We currently consider posting such product information and images inappropriate, so we have removed the above content. Professionally, experts and doctors at the hospital can give direct advice to patients, but posting it on a screen like that is inappropriate," said Mr. Hung.

Colostrum A. has its ingredients clearly stated in all three languages. According to nutritionists at the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, this ingredient does not meet the needs of cancer patients, so it is recommended not to use it - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Some patients being treated at this hospital said they bought a 450g box of A. colostrum for 1.2 - 1.4 million VND. A patient's family member said that although the price was quite high, they "heard" that it was specially made for cancer patients recovering from radiotherapy so they bought it. This person showed the box of milk they bought, which was marked as originating from a corporation in New Zealand.

According to research, this type of milk in the Vietnamese market is sold through a systematic distribution system.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bi-phan-ung-khi-khuyen-benh-nhan-ung-thu-khong-dung-sua-non-benh-vien-noi-gi-20241229201534237.htm