On September 18, the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health informed that the unit had established an inspection team to discover the case of hundreds of patients undergoing kidney stone surgery while the machine was broken at the Central Highlands General Hospital.
Through the work, the inspection team discovered that there were 480 cases of laser stone cages performed at the hospital in the process when the machine was broken and no longer in use.
Of these, after screening, 255 cases of laser gravel canopy were accounted for incorrectly. These cases were deployed during the period when the machines were broken but were still being accounted for.
Mr. Nguyen Dang Giap - Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital confirmed that the hospital's stone cladding machine broke down in November 2023. The unit sent the machine for repair and borrowed another machine to treat the patient.
"255 patients are not treated with stone crushers but are charged a fee for using a laser stone crusher. When there is no stone crusher, doctors remove the stone and perform other procedures, but reporting the use of a stone crusher is against regulations," Mr. Giap affirmed.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nay Phi La - Director of Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health confirmed: "In this case, there was no professional error. Here, hospital staff have declared and falsified kidney stone surgery records and showed signs of taking advantage of the Insurance.
For example, if the type 1 stone involved in surgery is repaired to type 2, the insurance will be enjoyed at a higher level".
According to Mr. Phi La, immediately after discovering this serious incident, the department requested a temporary suspension of kidney stone surgery at the hospital to clarify the violations of related individuals and groups.
"For now, we will admit our mistake to the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Party Committee, waiting for the conclusion of the police agency to have a direction for handling. In particular, it is possible to consider prosecuting the Board of Directors of the Central Highlands General Hospital and the leaders of the Department of Health depending on the nature and severity of the incident," Mr. Phi La added.
As Lao Dong reported, the Central Highlands General Hospital only has one stone laser machine and this device has been determined to be broken since November 2023.
However, the unusual thing is that since then, the unit has recorded nearly 500 patients having kidney stones.
Mr. Nay Phi La - Director of the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health said: "This is a very serious incident".
Regarding the incident, 2 officials at the Central Highlands General Hospital have been suspended from work.
Accordingly, in early August 2025, the Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital signed a decision to temporarily suspend the position of leader, manager, and surgeon for Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoang - Head of the Department of Nephrology - Urology.
Mr. Hoang has shown signs of violations in the management and use of laser stone cutting machines.
At the same time, the Director of the Hospital also signed a decision to temporarily suspend the position of leader, manager, and surgeon for Mr. Le Xuan Vinh - Deputy Head of the Department of Nephrology - Urology.
Mr. Vinh has shown signs of violations in the management and use of laser stone cutting machines.
Currently, both of them have expired their suspension period and are working at the hospital.
