In July 2026, the Department of Health of Khanh Hoa province issued a document responding to people about receiving and guiding medical examination procedures at Khanh Hoa Tropical Diseases Hospital.
On the morning of June 26, the child of a parent (3 years old) suddenly developed red rashes all over his body, itchy, so he was taken to Khanh Hoa Provincial Tropical Diseases Hospital for examination.
After taking the registration number and it was their turn to be examined, the medical staff at the reception area received a notice that the child's health insurance card (HI) was off-line, requesting to go to Yersin Nha Trang General Hospital to apply for a referral letter to enjoy HI benefits.
Parents believe that at that time the child was showing symptoms of the disease of unknown cause, had not been examined, diagnosed or indicated for treatment by a doctor.
However, the hospital still instructed that there must be a referral letter because it is an outpatient examination case.
From the above incident, parents request functional agencies to clarify whether the hospital's handling is in accordance with regulations, procedures for receiving and treating patients or not?
Meanwhile, a report from Khanh Hoa Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases said that a 3-year-old child was brought to the Department of Medical Examination - Emergency by his family in a state of redness all over the body, itching, and cause unknown.
The receptionist checked the health insurance card information, recorded the initial registration place for medical examination and treatment of the patient as Yersin Nha Trang General Hospital and provided guidance on referral procedures.
Through review, the Department of Health of Khanh Hoa province determined that it is necessary for medical staff to guide people on health insurance benefits and referral procedures.
However, the instructions at that time were not complete and unclear, making the family understand that they had to return to Yersin Nha Trang General Hospital to apply for a referral paper before being examined.
The Department of Health believes that the referral letter is only a basis for health insurance payment for cases of examination not in the right tuyến (not in the emergency case), not a condition to refuse to receive patients.
For emergency or suspected emergency cases, medical facilities must receive and handle them promptly according to professional regulations, and are not allowed to require patients to apply for referral letters in advance.
The Department of Health also determined that Khanh Hoa Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases has no policy of refusing to receive pediatric patients.
However, the hospital still lacked in the reception, consultation and explanation of health insurance benefits. The unit has organized to draw experience for relevant staff.
Mr. Trinh Ngoc Hiep - Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health has requested the hospital to seriously rectify the process of receiving, screening, and initial classification for patients.
At the same time, when patients are examined not at the right level, they must clearly explain that the referral letter is only related to health insurance payment benefits.
