Health Ministry looking into hijama weight loss claims

"Faxy's Hijama" has claimed that weight loss is possible via hijama (cupping therapy), and the Ministry of Health has begun looking into this claim and issue.

Fazyla Usman's "Faxy's Hijama Clinic" made a Facebook post stating that one hijama session can shave off three to four kilos of weight, and that diet and exercise are not required.

Fazyla stated, "There will be one hijama session per month and by God's grace, you will receive everlasting benefits."

The Health Ministry's media official has stated that even if the clinic has approval to operate from the ministry, the claim made by the clinic on Facebook is being looked into due to public complaints.

The clinic used to charge MVR 1,000 per hijama session and now they're charging MVR 500 per session. They also said that if no weight is lost from the hijama session, they will refund the money paid along with an extra MVR 1,000.

Another Facebook post stated that hijama is one of the best medicinal cures as written in the hadith, and that one is lacking in faith if one doesn't believe that a hijama session can help you lose weight.

She went on to say, "I will say repeatedly and without fail that I am running a legitimate business and am not trying to scam or mislead anyone."

Fazyla said the evidence can be seen on social media, with people saying that hijama helps them lose weight.

She goes on to say that billing slips that contain personal information will not be shared on social media but it can be viewed by going to the clinic.

However, a health official has stated that sharing the personal information of patients is a violation of the Health Services Act, and has said that, "we are looking into the issue."

Faxyla's words regarding the promotion of her hijama services tends to garner a lot of public criticism. The authorities shut down the clinic last year citing practice of medicine without permits, but it was later reopened after getting the necessary permits.