On the evening of September 5, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Vu Thanh Giang - Deputy Director of Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 - said that the unit had verified the incident where the ambulance collected 21 million VND for the 200km distance.
The verification results showed that the two contract employees, Nguyen Van Thang (nursing) and Vu Van Giap (driver), arbitrarily used a personal vehicle to transport patients during the leave.
Driver Giap agreed and collected 21 million VND from the patient's family, then divided 4 million VND to nurse Thang and kept 17 million VND.
After the incident was exposed, driver Giap had to return 16 million VND to the patient's family.
nurse Nguyen Thi Thi (civil servant) in the role of a shift worker also advised on a "support service" fee outside of regulations.
"The verification results so far show that nurse Nguyen Thi Thiu did not benefit from the above, only introducing the vehicle when the patient's family asked for it," said Mr. Vu Thanh Giang.
From the above verification results, the Disciplinary Council of Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 decided to fire Mr. Vu Van Giap and Nguyen Van Thang.
As for nurse Nguyen Thi Thi, due to not performing her duties properly, she was disciplined at the level of a warning.
Previously, the incident of Ms. Nguyen Anh Tuyet (residing in Hiep Luc commune, Thai Nguyen province) was reported on social networks and press agencies, causing a stir in public opinion.
Ms. Tuyet said that on August 15, her father suddenly became critical and was given emergency care at Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1.
After 4 days of treatment in the Intensive Care Unit without progress, the family decided to take the patient home and asked the hospital for transportation support.
When asked about the cost, the doctor said it would cost "a few million VND", while the driver only said "to get there, it will be calculated by km, I will not take more than that but I am afraid", Ms. Tuyet said. However, after a trip lasting more than three hours, the driver asked to pay 22 million VND, then reduced it to 21 million VND (including 4 million VND for the doctor's escort).
After Ms. Tuyet's father passed away on August 21, relatives and neighbors learned about this unusual fee, and advised the family to report it to the authorities.
On August 25, when Ms. Tuyet shared the information on social networks, the driver proactively contacted and refunded 15 million VND and 1 million VND for incense burning.
Upon receiving the information, the Bac Ninh Department of Health directed Bac Ninh General Hospital No. 1 to urgently inspect and verify the incident, especially clarifying whether there is or not a connection between medical staff and outside transportation services for personal gain.
