Lao Dong reporter had an interview with Dr. Ha Anh Duc - Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health on solutions for this situation.
PV - Recently, there have been consecutive incidents of assault on doctors and medical staff in hospitals. Can you tell me more specifically about these issues?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: In recent days, there have been a number of incidents related to the health system and medical examination and treatment system, including assault on medical staff, typically in Phu Tho and most recently Nam Dinh - occurring when doctors were treating patients in the emergency resuscitation department.
Regardless of the cause, the act of assaulting medical staff, especially when they are on duty to rescue people, is completely unacceptable. No matter who is right or wrong, when the doctor is on a professional duty, it is necessary to ensure safety so that they can complete their work.
So what instructions has the Ministry of Health given after these incidents?
- Dr. Ha Anh Duc: Immediately after the incidents, we issued a document directing the rectification in the entire industry, requesting the Departments of Health to work immediately with the police to ensure security and protect medical staff while performing rescue tasks.
Phu Tho Department of Health has coordinated with the investigation agency, and this morning (May 7, 2025), we have received a preliminary report from the police agency. Although the behavior has not reached the level of criminal prosecution, the Investigation Police Agency of the Provincial Police has proposed to issue a decision to sanction administrative violations in accordance with regulations.
In your opinion, why are such incidents of medical abuse happening all the time?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: This situation has occurred many years ago, with objective and subjective reasons. The field of medical examination and treatment is already under a lot of pressure, with hundreds of thousands of people being treated on average every day.
Meanwhile, the sector's staff has not met the demand. There are many hospitals, the psychology of patients is that they want to be examined quickly and thoroughly, but sometimes the medical facilities cannot meet the requirements in time.
The large number of patients, with increasing demand and diversity of medical services, also puts heavy pressure on medical staff, this is also a situation that can make patients and their families not as satisfied as they wish.
So what measures has the health sector taken to rectify the situation? How to make doctors and nurses feel secure in their duties?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: We have had many regulations related to professional ethics and behavior in the medical environment, from laws, decrees, circulars to internal regulations. The goal is to build a model of taking patients as the center. Patients are respected, examined and treated. However, to achieve that, with the current pressures, we also hope to understand and share to ensure the effectiveness of medical examination and treatment activities.
In particular, since 2014, the Ministry of Health has signed a coordination regulations with the Ministry of Public Security. Including content related to ensuring security and order at medical facilities. We also recommend that hospital directors increase the protection corridor in the emergency area and actively resuscitate. This is a place where stress often occurs.
At the same time, the Ministry will continue to report and advise the Government, or within the authority of the Minister, to issue specific policies to protect health workers.
As for the financial aspect, is it the cause of the conflict?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: In fact, the story of hospital fees is also a factor that can cause stress.
The Law on Medical Examination and Treatment has specifically regulated the payment of hospital fees. However, in many cases where patients are in difficulty, hospitals with the Social Work Department will take on the task of connecting and strongly mobilizing donors to support.
In addition, Decree 60 on financial autonomy allows the establishment of a patient support fund in special cases such as patients who are unable to pay or who have died unfortunately.
So what is the overall solution to avoid unnecessary incidents?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: Our goal in the coming time is to minimize unnecessary pressures on both medical staff and patients. To do so, a synchronous solution system is needed.
First of all, the reception process at medical facilities needs to be more professional to reduce initial stress. Second, medical staff need to be trained in situation handling skills. Third, the support of competent authorities must be truly timely and effective.
In the entire reform, the core factor is still the patient?
Dr. Ha Anh Duc: accurate. All policies and solutions must aim at taking patients as the center.
Regarding financial mechanisms, units need to continue reviewing and adjusting to create openness and reduce barriers for patients.
Thank you!
The man who assaulted the doctor publicly apologized
On April 25, 2025, at Thanh Ba District Medical Center (Phu Tho), Khuat Van Sinh, Hanh Cu Commune, Thanh Ba District, committed an act of assaulting the health of medical staff while performing their duties.
As soon as the incident occurred, Colonel Nguyen Minh Tuan, member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Director of the Provincial Police Department, directed the Investigation Police Agency of Phu Tho Provincial Police to urgently intervene, conduct an investigation, verification to strictly handle according to the provisions of law.
Considering that Khuat Van Sinh's actions violated Clause 6, Article 48, Decree No. 117/2020/ND-CP, dated September 28, 2020 of the Government regulating "Pensation for administrative violations in the health sector", the Investigation Police Agency of the Provincial Police has proposed to issue a decision to sanction administrative violations in accordance with regulations.
At the Investigation Agency, after being explained by the investigation officers, Khuat Van Sinh realized his violation, Sinh publicly apologized to the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who participated in the emergency treatment of L and sent his thanks to Thanh Ba District Medical Center.
Assaulting and insulting medical staff is a violation of the law that needs to be condemned and strictly handled by society. Although the above incident has not yet reached the level of criminal prosecution, it will be an expensive lesson for hooligans who are used to "talking" with their hands and feet, insulting the honor and dignity of practitioners... at medical examination and treatment facilities.
