Initial investigation results announced regarding the Hoai Duc Hospital case.

On the afternoon of August 9th, Hanoi City Police Chief Nguyen Duc Chung announced the initial investigation results of the case "Abuse of position and power while performing official duties at Hoai Duc District General Hospital, Hanoi," revealing that falsified test results were used to claim reimbursement from health insurance funds transferred to the hospital.

Hanoi City Police Chief Nguyen Duc Chung announced the initial investigation findings at the meeting. (Photo: Thuy Giang/Vietnam+)

Mr. Chung made this statement during a meeting of the Hanoi City Party Committee's Propaganda Department, held that afternoon to hear reports and address violations at Hoai Duc District General Hospital. The meeting was chaired by Politburo member and Hanoi City Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi, and attended by representatives from various departments and agencies in Hanoi.

"Pocketing" insurance funds.

Speaking at the meeting, assessing the violations at Hoai Duc District General Hospital, Politburo member and Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi emphasized that these were very serious violations causing regrettable consequences at a district-level hospital in the capital city.

“Upon reviewing and investigating the matter, it appears that the violations were intentional, contrary to professional regulations in the medical field, and involved the abuse of power. Furthermore, the violations at Hoai Duc District General Hospital were systemic, occurring multiple times, involving many people, and especially showing signs of brokering and bribery. Therefore, the investigation and handling must be carried out rigorously,” Mr. Nghi demanded.

Referring to the police investigation in recent days, Mr. Chung said that based on the documents collected in the investigation file, there are: 66 notebooks tracking test results, 33 notebooks tracking medical examinations and treatments, 41 patient records, 52 hematology test forms, 1 urine test form with attached test results that have been cut off; 10 photocopies of hematology test forms, 446 printed hematology test result forms, and statements from those involved.

Based on that evidence, the police have initially determined that from July 2012 to May 2013, the laboratory department of Hoai Duc District Hospital issued 2,237 test slips to patients, of which 1,149 were duplicate hematology test slips.

Specifically, there were 10 test slips, each with results matching those of 3 other people (30 fraudulent test slips).

There were 41 test slips, each with results matching those of two other people (82 fraudulent test slips).

There are 1,037 test slips, each with a result matching one other person (1037) fake test slips).

Three fabricated test results for a 40-year-old patient with mental illness, a 3-year-old child with bronchitis, and a 1-year-old child with diarrhea had the same biochemical and hematological indicators. (Photo: Duong Ngoc/VNA)

The aforementioned fraudulent test slips were for hematology tests performed on outpatients with health insurance, with the aim of claiming reimbursement from health insurance funds and transferring them to the hospital. These funds were then distributed to various departments for general use and personal purposes.

Investigations have revealed that the total amount paid by health insurance to the hospital for the aforementioned test results is estimated to be over 60 million VND.

Mr. Chung stated: "Based on the investigation documents so far, the Hanoi City Police have initially determined that the complaint filed by Ms. Nguyet, Ms. Dinh, and Ms. Dong alleging that the hospital printed fictitious hematology test results to claim insurance payments is accurate. This falsification was intended to obtain health insurance funds, which were then transferred to the hospital for general use by various departments and for personal purposes."

In addition, investigators have also obtained statements from laboratory technicians who stated that they collected blood and urine samples and sent them to the testing department, but the testing department discarded them. Currently, the investigation is continuing to clarify whether test results from one patient were linked to those of another for treatment purposes.

The head of Hanoi's police department concluded: "Based on the documents in the file collected by the investigating agency so far, it has been initially determined that the falsification of test results for treating patients was solely for the purpose of claiming health insurance payments and settling expenses for costs, labor, chemicals, etc., related to testing."

Currently, the Director of the Hanoi City Police is directing investigative police agencies to urgently gather documents to clarify the individual responsibilities of the hospital director, accountant, relevant officials at the hospital, and relevant individuals from the health insurance agency, in order to promptly prosecute those who have committed violations and to strictly enforce the law.

Commending those who stand up to report wrongdoing.

Concluding the conference, Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi emphasized: “Following this incident, relevant agencies must learn from the experience regarding the urgency and sensitivity of inspection officers. Currently, the inspection force lacks these sensitive qualities. Addressing these violations should first and foremost involve proactive action from the relevant agencies, rather than waiting for the media to speak out before taking strong action as has been the case recently.”

Ms. Hoang Thi Nguyet, a technician in the Laboratory Department of Hoai Duc District General Hospital, is the person who filed the complaint alleging irregularities. (Photo: Duong Ngoc/TTXVN)

Regarding the person who uncovered the irregularities at Hoai Duc District General Hospital, Hanoi Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi praised and commended Ms. Nguyet – who dared to stand up and write a letter denouncing such serious and long-standing irregularities – and suggested that she should be highly praised and rewarded to the maximum extent for coming forward to expose and fight corruption.

Secondly, Mr. Pham Quang Nghi commended the media outlets for their timely publication of information and criticism of wrongdoings in the past period.

Thirdly, several relevant authorities have recently made efforts and demonstrated determination to address the issue.

The Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee requested the Department of Health to continue implementing the directives of the City People's Committee regarding the handling of violations, further refine the assessment of violations, and proactively propose remedial measures; strengthen hospital management and continue to learn from experience throughout the entire sector.

Regarding the police force, Mr. Pham Quang Nghi requested that they act promptly, handle the case in a timely and strict manner; and clarify the socialized aspects of the pharmaceutical company.../.

According to Vietnam+ - LT