Members of “Black rose” group at Hải Sơn Ward’s People’s Committee. — Photo courtesy of Commission for Publicity and Education of Đồ Sơn District

HẢI PHÒNG — A group of people from Hải Phòng City are being investigated by police over the illegal collection of hundreds of blood samples from school students.

The group, known as ‘Black Rose’, is made up of six people and led by Đinh Thị Út, from Hải Sơn Ward.

According to local police, they rented a house from a local resident to carry out these actions.

Last Friday, several parents in Hải Sơn Ward expressed their outrage on social media about the unauthorised taking of blood samples of their children for testing without family or school consent.

The group initiated contact and enticed students through messages. They offered each student VNĐ100,000 (US$4.2) for agreeing to the blood test and an additional VNĐ25,000 for referring other students.

After receiving this information, the People's Committee of Hải Sơn Ward formed an inspection team to investigate the group at the rented house on Nguyễn Hữu Cầu Street.

Đinh Thị Út, told police the group was established to provide information and consultation to prevent the spread of HIV among young drug users and address issues related to sexual and reproductive health for individuals aged 16 to 24.

According to the authorities in Đồ Sơn District, the group has conducted blood tests on more than 400 students, mostly in three districts of Kiến Thụy, Dương Kinh and Đồ Sơn.

The police have also met with the students to gather more information.

The local authorities said the group has not provided complete legal documentation regarding their activities in accordance with regulations and they were asked to halt their act.

At the same time, the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Department of the Ministry of Health has sent a letter to the Hải Phòng Department of Health and the Disease Control Centre, requesting a report and clarification on the case.

The city health department and CDC were required to enhance the management of groups related to counseling and HIV testing within the community following legal regulations and the guidance of the Ministry of Health. — VNS