Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department: "The press should not "set traps" to attack anyone"

Regarding the incident of “The Director of the Central Maternity Hospital refused to perform surgery when he learned that the patient was a journalist”, Infonet reporter had an interview with Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen The Ky, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department.

Mr. Ky said, like many other fields, writing about health is difficult. Reporters must understand their field and activities. Understanding the terminology is difficult, understanding the difficulties of the health sector is even more difficult.

Every human being goes through the process of birth, aging, sickness and death - all associated with the medical profession. It is completely correct to say that the medical profession "serves hundreds of families" because it is sometimes glorious but also full of sadness, especially when unexpected incidents and accidents occur. At that time, not only the family but also the society is also boiling.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen The Ky, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda Department.

Regarding the case of Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Ba Quyet, Director of the Central Obstetrics Hospital, who was reported by the press to have refused to operate on a patient, Mr. Ky said he had not read it carefully and did not understand the specific circumstances of the journalist when approaching reality. However, if a doctor refuses a patient, it must be criticized. Because of the professional principles and medical ethics of a doctor, it is not allowed to refuse to treat a patient, regardless of their profession, social class, or position.

In this case, the doctor can ask not to operate on a patient when he is not in good health or mentally stable, just like a pilot who feels unwell before a flight can ask not to fly that flight.

As for the patient, regardless of their profession, they have the right to be cared for. Including their professional position can be understood as a certain attention. But this attention is not necessary. In addition, for doctors, whether journalists or law enforcement officers, they should not have prejudices, complexes, or psychological effects. At this time, the doctor should only care about the "doctor - patient" relationship.

When the reporter asked: "What is your opinion if there is a trap set by reporters for doctors?", Mr. Ky said: "If there is really a trap, then no one should be trapped. Reporters can find out in a normal way (positive, negative), but trapping is not appropriate."

Mr. Ky added that reporters investigate the incident using many public or non-public methods. They can record, film directly or hide the camera somewhere, but the motive must be pure, even if the method is not public. If they have information that person A or B has negative signs, the reporter's duty is to investigate and use professional measures, but should not set traps, regardless of who it is to hit.

"Obviously, the patient does not need to say that I am a journalist. A doctor should not refuse a patient, regardless of the patient, but should only have the right to suggest "poor health" or not being in the right profession and suggest someone else. Doctors should avoid outright refusal to create a psychological and sense of security for the patient.

The story is quite complicated. We need to have a calm, objective view, and consider it specifically. We are not involved in that event, sometimes the context reflects the specifics. In communication, sometimes just the eyes, words, and tone can also lead to misunderstanding the problem" - Mr. Ky added.

Mr. Ky also emphasized that journalists need to have heart and intelligence, but before each article, they should not let personal feelings influence it. Especially for young reporters, when life experience, qualifications, experience, and professional skills are still limited.

According to Infonet