On the morning of October 30, at the end of the National Assembly's discussion session on socio-economics, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan gave a speech explaining and clarifying the opinions raised by National Assembly deputies, including the issue of ensuring a safe and effective working environment for health workers in the face of recent cases of abuse.
Minister Dao Hong Lan affirmed that the situation of abuse of medical staff in medical examination and treatment facilities has been a "hot" issue for a long time.
These cases of violence not only seriously affect the security and safety of hospitals, but also directly threaten the health and lives of medical staff, patients and relatives, cause public outrage, damage psychology, and reduce the working spirit of health care workers.
According to the Minister, to minimize this situation, the health sector has made great efforts to implement many solutions in recent times.
In particular, the Ministry of Health has issued regulations to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security in ensuring security and order at medical facilities; increasing support for medical examination and treatment facilities, reducing hospital loads, improving service quality and patient satisfaction.
The Ministry of Health also strengthens coordination with local authorities when violence occurs, resolutely speaking out to request strict handling of violations.
The most important thing is to advise on perfecting mechanisms and policies related to handling acts of using force to threaten medical staff while on duty.
The Minister of Health added that most recently, when drafting the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023, the Ministry of Health, during the process of submitting to the Government and the National Assembly, proposed to supplement regulations on ensuring hospital security and safety.
According to the Minister, Article 7 of the Law also has relevant provisions. At that time, we really hope to have a stronger solution, specifically considering the act of abusing medical staff while working as an act of resisting law enforcement officers. But unfortunately, the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023 has not included this content, said Minister Dao Hong Lan.
The Minister said that in recent years, the situation of abuse of medical staff has not decreased but has increased, becoming more serious.
In 2025 alone, there were 6 cases of abuse of medical staff, the most recent of which was at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, which rang the alarm bell and was like a drop of water overflowing the glass.
Our nurse Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang was stabbed 11 times, including a stabbing wound through the lung, seriously threatening her life. We believe that without stronger solutions, the violence will not stop, the Minister warned.
According to the Minister, the cases of violence have made people angry, and the health sector's officials and employees have been outraged. Minister Dao Hong Lan hopes that the National Assembly will consider adding to the Resolution the content: "At all times, assaulting medical staff while performing medical examination and treatment tasks and saving people is an act of resistance against law enforcement officers".
The Minister of Health also emphasized: Health workers hope to have sympathy, sharing, and support. In any situation, while on a rescue mission, ensuring safe working conditions must be given the highest priority. Because this not only affects medical staff but is also directly related to the lives of patients being treated".
