Violence against medical staff: From the emergency room to the front of the house
Recently, public opinion has paid special attention to the case of a female nurse, head of the Department of Neurology, Hai Duong General Hospital (Hai Phong City), being assaulted by a group of people right in the hospital and continuing to have a scuffle at her private home.
At about 4:24 PM on July 21, 2026, the female nurse had an argument and then a scuffle with a group of people in the hospital's office. At 6:15 PM on the same day, this group continued to find her private residence, leading to a second scuffle. The female nurse was then hospitalized for health monitoring. The police are investigating the incident.
At the end of 2025, at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, a man rushed into the Neonatal Department, carried and threatened the life of a young child. When two nurses and the patient's family intervened, the subject used weapons to attack, causing many injuries. One nurse was stabbed many times in the chest, neck, shoulder and back.
Many hospitals in Ninh Binh, Gia Lai and localities have recorded doctors and nurses being cursed, threatened, and assaulted while on duty. The incidents often occur in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit or patient reception areas, where professional pressure is very high.
Pressure upon pressure
Although the Ministry of Health coordinates with the Ministry of Public Security to implement many solutions to ensure security and reduce hospital overload, cases of violence against medical staff still continue.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health show that in 2025 alone, 6 cases of violence against medical staff were recorded. In that context, the Government issued Decree No. 90/2026/ND-CP, effective from May 15, 2026, replacing Decree 117/2020/ND-CP, with many regulations tightening the handling of acts of infringing upon medical staff and medical examination and treatment facilities.
According to new regulations, individuals who commit acts that infringe upon the life, health, insult the honor and dignity of practitioners or destroy the property of medical examination and treatment facilities may be administratively fined up to 40 million VND. The Decree also stipulates strict handling of the act of posting information that concludes the responsibility of medical staff or hospitals without a conclusion from a competent authority.
Dr. Ha Anh Duc - Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) - emphasized that no matter what the cause, the act of attacking medical staff while they are on duty is unacceptable.
According to Mr. Ha Anh Duc, the health system receives about 200 million medical examinations and treatments each year. Meanwhile, many medical facilities are still overloaded, and human resources and infrastructure do not meet the increasing needs. The anxiety and impatience of patients and their families, especially in the emergency and resuscitation departments, easily lead to tension if information exchange is not timely.
To reduce the risk of conflict, the Ministry of Health has requested localities to strengthen coordination with the police force to ensure hospital security, strictly handle violations; and at the same time continue to improve communication and behavior skills of medical staff, improve patient reception procedures and strengthen security forces in high-risk areas.
Dr. Ha Anh Duc said that preventing hospital violence needs to be implemented synchronously from many sides. In addition to perfecting the legal mechanism and ensuring security, medical facilities need to continue to improve service quality, apply technology to reduce waiting times, and strengthen explanations and dialogues with patients and their families, especially at "hot spots" such as the Emergency and Resuscitation departments.
The biggest wish of the medical team is to help patients recover soon. In all cases, medical staff need to work in a safe environment to wholeheartedly treat patients" - Dr. Ha Anh Duc shared.
Violence not only harms medical staff but also disrupts examination and emergency care and causes anxiety in hospitals. Protecting the white blouse team is the responsibility of the whole society, helping them feel secure in taking care of patients.
