Kaohsiung: Two branches of the Airlee aesthetic clinic chain in Kaohsiung have been ordered to suspend medical services for six months over multiple violations, including the alleged unauthorized filming of patients, the city's Health Department said Thursday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the penalties came amid widening scrutiny of Taiwan's cosmetic surgery and aesthetic clinics following allegations of hidden-camera recordings at several clinics nationwide. The department's statement identified the sanctioned facilities as Boai Airlee Clinic in Zuoying District and Airlee Clinic in Xinxing District.

The department stated that inspections found the two clinics had violated the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Medical Care Act, including by allegedly recording patients without consent.