VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City inspectors on Wednesday decided to shut down an illegal orphanage in Binh Tan District for multiple violations in management and childcare services.

Inspectors from the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA) forced the closure of Tien Phuoc 2 Orphanage at 17/66/26 Lien khu 5-6 Street in Binh Hung Hoa B Ward owned by Nguyen Thi Van.

Under the decision announced to local authorities and media, the illegal orphanage failed to meet standards for environmental hygiene, facilities and financial management.

It also did not comply with health care and food safety regulations, which had led to child deaths, inspectors said.

Thirteen children at the orphanage would be transferred to the DoLISA-run Thu Duc Teenagers Village for care in Thu Duc District.

Department inspectors said that while unlicenced for receiving social welfare, the orphanage's owner illegally took care of orphans, put up a pagoda sign, and used a square stamp without the permission of local government.

Inspectors found that the orphanage had no food safety certificates for the kitchen, provided no periodic health check-ups for child-minders and the cooking staff, and offered inadequate room space for babies as stipulated by Prime Minister Resolution 68.

The insufficient child-minding staff had standard qualifications, and financial and asset management was found to be not open and transparent.

Though total donations from philanthropists amounted to VND1.01 billion (US$50,500), 15,575 euros ($21,805) and other gifts, inspectors said children at the orphanage

There was one case in which Van prevented one child from returning to his family, they said.

One child died on Jan 9 after the inspection. Police has been investigating the cause.

Huynh Tan Dung, DoLISA's chief inspector, said that relevant authorities should learn a lesson from the case as increased monitoring and management of social charitable establishments is necessary.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News