Gradually recovering after intensive treatment
On May 8, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc and a working delegation visited patient N.G. K (born in 2024) in the abuse case that occurred in Hoa Hiep commune and is being treated at Children's Hospital 1.
Reporting at the meeting, Mr. Ngo Ngoc Quang Minh - Director of Children's Hospital 1 said that baby K was admitted to the hospital in a fairly serious condition, respiratory failure. After intensive treatment, the child's condition is now more stable than in previous days and is being closely monitored. The hospital applies a trauma treatment regimen and uses a combination of 2 types of antibiotics.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong - Deputy Director of Children's Hospital 1 said that the diagnosis when the child was transferred from Ba Ria General Hospital was multiple injuries with a injury index of 9 points: degree II liver injury - degree II spleen injury - degree III pancreatic injury - degree I kidney injury - crushed and torn lungs on both sides - old fracture of the left arm, right forearm.
At Children's Hospital 1, doctors are making efforts to provide emergency care and activate the one-stop-shop model to support abuse victims. Currently, treatment costs, living expenses, and meals for children are fully paid by the Social Work Department of Children's Hospital 1.
Hoa Hiep Commune People's Committee is carrying out procedures for the Ho Chi Minh City Social Work Center to receive and assign people to care for the baby for a maximum of 3 months after discharge, in order to facilitate re-examination at Children's Hospital 1. After that, the child will be transferred to the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Social Protection Center for nurturing and normal study.
Doctor Ta Huy Can - Head of General Surgery Department of Children's Hospital 1 said that after 1 week of treatment, the liver, kidney, and pancreas functional test indicators returned to normal. The unit continued to assess and monitor whether pulmonary contusion could lead to infection or not and long-term complications of pancreatic trauma.
Child abuse is a form of hidden crime
Speaking at the working session, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc assessed that child protection work in Vietnam in recent years has made very positive changes, achieved many remarkable achievements and been recognized by international organizations. However, recently, many cases of child abuse have continuously occurred.
Child abuse is a hidden crime, difficult to detect. Not only Vietnam but many countries around the world are also facing this situation.
The Deputy Minister of Health emphasized that the most important thing is to have fundamental and preventive solutions so that child abuse cases no longer occur. To do this, the Ministry of Health or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health certainly cannot do it alone, requiring inter-sectoral coordination between ministries, sectors, localities and social organizations.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc suggested that the health sector and social units need to study international models on risk classification. When a case is classified as a very high risk group, the entire social system will join in. In addition, it is necessary to promote communication about the Children's Protection Hotline 111.
The Deputy Minister of Health also highly appreciated the efforts of the collective of doctors and nurses of Children's Hospital 1 and the effectiveness of the one-stop model in Ho Chi Minh City. At the same time, he will work with the Department of Mothers and Children to study and replicate this model nationwide.
Previously, as Lao Dong Newspaper reported, N.T. T. T (born in 1993 - K's biological mother) and D.C (born in 1996 - K's stepfather) and K moved to rent a motel in Hoa Hiep commune. On May 2, D.C and T.T used bamboo sticks to beat K many times, in the legs, back and head area.
When people discovered and reported, functional agencies approached and took child K to Ba Ria General Hospital for emergency treatment, then transferred to Children's Hospital 1.
The Investigation Police Agency of Ho Chi Minh City Police has issued an emergency arrest warrant for N.T. T. T and D.C to investigate and clarify the act of child abuse and proceed with handling according to regulations.
