TCM clinic apologises and pulls controversial child massage banner amid uproar

SINGAPORE: A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic in Jurong apologised and pulled down an outdoor advertisement featuring a photo of a topless child receiving a massage, amid uproar across social media platforms.

The banner ad, displayed by Goodlady TCM & Beauty Spa, was aimed at promoting children’s massage therapy services which could supposedly aid children in coping with stress and enhancing immunity. However, its depiction of a child receiving a massage, with the face of the child clearly visible, stirred controversy.

The banner swiftly ignited a wave of disapproval on various online forums, including Reddit and the Complaint Singapore Facebook group. Many netizens expressed discomfort and condemned the use of children’s images for promotional purposes, labeling it as inappropriate and unsettling.

Responding to the outcry, the owner of the TCM clinic told TODAY that the banner, which was erected over the weekend, has since been removed from public display.

In an official statement, a spokesman for the Jurong-Clementi Town Council revealed that the council had taken notice of the banner advertisement and had provided recommendations to the operator, leading to the swift removal of the banner.

“We are reviewing our policy around the display of such banner ads,” the spokesman added, hinting at potential adjustments in regulations regarding similar advertisements in the future.

The owner of the TCM clinic acknowledged the discomfort caused by the imagery and stressed that it was never their intention to offend or unsettle individuals. She clarified that the original banner had been installed with the approval of the town council.

“We apologize if these photos have caused discomfort to anyone; that was certainly not our intention. We just wanted to show potential customers the range of Chinese medicine services our all-female team of masseurs offer, including baby and children’s massage,” she said.

The clinic owner added that she is working with the town council, indicating that a revised banner featuring a new design had been submitted for approval.