The Bac Ninh General Hospital No.1 has dismissed two employees and disciplined another following public outrage over a case in which a patient’s family was charged 21 million VND (around USD 830) for a 200 km ambulance ride.
On September 5, the Bac Ninh Department of Health reported to the provincial authorities that hospital driver Vu Van Giap, 41, and nurse Nguyen Van Thang, 34, were both fired for serious misconduct. Another nurse, Nguyen Thi Thiu, 30, received a formal warning.
The decision came after an investigation into complaints made by the family of a patient from Thai Nguyen. On August 19, the patient’s relatives arranged for an ambulance transfer from Bac Ninh to Thai Nguyen, a journey of roughly 200 km. Upon arrival, they were asked to pay 21 million VND, including 4 million VND for the accompanying doctor.
The incident quickly spread on social media, sparking widespread criticism that the cost was excessive and exploitative. Following public pressure, the driver contacted the family and refunded 16 million VND.
Hospital leaders later met with the patient’s relatives, convened a disciplinary council, and reviewed the responsibilities of involved departments. Authorities said the strict action was necessary to restore public trust and prevent similar violations in the future.
The case highlights growing concerns over healthcare transparency and patient protection in Vietnam, where hospitals are under pressure to ensure ethical conduct and fair treatment for patients.
Related
Discover more from Vietnam Insider
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Source: Vietnam Insider