Unlicensed clinic in Thanh Chuong still operates openly
(Baonghean.vn) - That is the Hoai Giang dental clinic that was once recorded by the Nghe An Department of Health inspection team and required Thanh Chuong district to close due to operating without a license. However, this clinic still continues to operate.
On the morning of January 9, 2019, Mr. Ngu Van C (born in 1959, residing in Dong Van commune, Thanh Chuong district) went to Hoai Giang dental clinic (block 9, Dung town, Thanh Chuong district) to have his teeth done. During the dental work, Mr. C fainted and was taken to Thanh Chuong General Hospital for emergency treatment at 11:39 am in a state of cardiac arrest. After the doctors resuscitated him, Mr. C was transferred to Nghe An General Hospital. Due to his severe condition, Mr. C died shortly thereafter...
Before the incident, the Hoai Giang Dental Clinic was fined by the Nghe An Department of Health and ordered to close by Thanh Chuong District due to operating without a license. However, the clinic continued to operate.
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| Minutes of medical and pharmaceutical practice inspection of Hoai Giang Dental Clinic (Block 9, Thanh Chuong Town) at 8:05 a.m. on August 10, 2018. Conclusion: not meeting the requirements for medical examination and treatment, not handling waste according to regulations. Request to close and supplement the conditions for new facilities to continue operating. Assign the Commune People's Committee to inspect and supervise when all conditions are met to reopen the practice. |
And 7 months after the incident, this clinic was "officially" inspected by the district authorities. Specifically, on August 10, 2019, the Thanh Chuong District Interdisciplinary Inspection Team inspected the Hoai Giang Dental Clinic and made a record of violations.
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| Hoai Giang Dental Clinic (Thanh Chuong) has facilities that do not meet medical examination and treatment requirements and does not treat waste according to regulations. Photo: Thanh Son |
It is worth mentioning that the minutes of the District Interdisciplinary Inspection Team did not clearly state that this dental clinic did not have an operating license and the clinic owner did not have a practice certificate. The line "hand over to the Commune People's Committee to inspect and supervise until all conditions are met before allowing the practice to reopen" was written in a different type of ink.
| Hoai Giang Dental Clinic is still operating normally. Clip recorded on March 17, 2020. |
Regarding this issue, a doctor in Thanh Chuong district said: “The capacity of cadres and state management of the authorities is too weak. It is likely that there is a situation of protection for violations. There is no reason why an illegal clinic opened in the middle of town, located on National Highway 46A, and no one saw it. In Thanh Chuong, not only Hoai Giang Dental Clinic but also many other unlicensed dental clinics, oriental medicine facilities, and ultrasound facilities are still operating.”
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| Commitment of Dung Town People's Committee not to allow unlicensed facilities to operate in the area and conclusion of inspection of Hoa Giang Dental Clinic. Photo: Thanh Son |
Mr. Thin said: “The district has asked the illegal establishments to close down and the commune to monitor them, but they are still operating secretly, like kidnapping and abandoning a dish. Hoai Giang Dental Clinic is a typical example. The district does not have a force on duty 24/7. The commune level, due to respect, has not taken drastic measures. The district also has a difficulty when the fine is too high; if the fine cannot be collected, the effectiveness of administrative sanctions is lost.”
The reason why Hoai Giang Dental Clinic still operates openly without a license was explained by Mr. Tran Van Hung - Vice Chairman of Dung Town People's Committee: "We also checked and reminded that if you do not meet the requirements, please try to complete them. The facility also promised that in a few months it will complete the requirements according to the licensing documents."
Dr. Dau Huy Hoan, Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Health, said: All levels and sectors need to further enhance their responsibilities to thoroughly handle unlicensed medical and pharmaceutical establishments in the area. The health sector will step up inspection and examination of private medical and pharmaceutical practices; direct and coordinate with the district People's Committees to conduct surprise inspections and handle unlicensed medical and pharmaceutical establishments in the districts.
