Don't leave doctors to "fend for themselves."

(Baonghean) - It's undeniable that in recent years, the health sector has witnessed quite a few regrettable incidents. From negligence to indifference, from violations of professional ethics to even violations of the law... The image of the pure and dedicated doctor has been tarnished to some extent. Society has vehemently condemned these actions, and public opinion has seized the opportunity to paint countless sarcastic and mocking pictures of the medical profession. Some even went so far as to say that going to the hospital is now "going to your death." In a recent interview, the Minister of Health had to reassure the press with the statement: "These are just a few bad apples spoiling the bunch."

But is it wise to continue viewing and analyzing the issue pessimistically? Once again, I reaffirm that I completely agree with the minister; the recent heartbreaking and shameful incidents in the medical field are isolated cases, exceptional cases, just a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. Who is responsible? For a long time, the answer has been simply "the health sector." That's not wrong, but perhaps not enough. I don't believe the health sector alone can bring about "comprehensive change" if state agencies and society as a whole remain uninvolved. The understanding and support of society as a whole are crucial, extremely crucial, in resolving this incredibly difficult problem. Among the myriad reasons for the medical sector's decline, the impact from society cannot be ignored. To be fair, bribery, kickbacks, and even indifference are not unique to the medical sector. Stop dwelling on the question "where is kindness?", because it's right within each of us!

There's a sad and shameful story about a strange, new, and repulsive form of "revenge" that has recently emerged. It involves families of unfortunate patients seeking revenge against the hospital. Since the dead can't be brought back to life, the living resort to "dealing with" each other. A simple Google search for "hospital vandalism" yields 5,010,000 results in 0.20 seconds – a shocking number even for the calmest individuals! Such heartbreaking stories continue to occur, not just once, and not just in one location. In 2011, Dr. Pham Duc Giau of Vu Thu District General Hospital (Thai Binh province) was stabbed to death in his office by a patient's family member just days before his retirement. Recently, at Ha Tinh General Hospital, a patient died from anaphylactic shock after receiving an antibiotic injection. Family members then surrounded and assaulted the patient, resulting in Dr. Mai Van Luc (Head of the Intensive Care Unit) suffering a laceration above his eye, Dr. Trung sustaining a corneal laceration and having his glasses broken, and nurses Anh Quang and Thao (Trauma Department) suffering head injuries. In our province, at Nghe An General Hospital, Vinh City Hospital, and several district hospitals, similar behavior from patients' family members has occurred on more than one occasion.

In a recent incident, Mr. Tran Ba ​​Khanh, Director of Nghi Loc District Hospital, told the press: "Regarding the patient's family's request, although the hospital did nothing wrong... we mobilized contributions from staff and doctors, allocated funds from the hospital and the trade union, and provided the patient's family with 45 million VND in support." The director even worriedly warned: "Supporting the patient's family will set a bad precedent, but the hospital must save itself first to maintain stable operations." Or, in the case of Vinh City Hospital, where a patient unfortunately died, the hospital leadership consulted and decided to "negotiate with money" to persuade the family to accept... taking the deceased home for burial. Surely everyone remembers the "coffin parade" incident last year in another province. Is this trend of "using" the deceased to exert pressure being encouraged? While it might seem premature to draw such conclusions, given the series of incidents in recent years, why haven't people considered this possibility? The phenomenon is clear, numerous, and sufficient to make us worry about an looming "syndrome." But who will step up to resolve this "issue"? Should we continue to let hospitals "raise" money from their staff and then bargain with absurdities?

Clauses 1 and 3 of Article 26 of the "Law on Protection of People's Health," passed by the National Assembly on June 30, 1989, clearly state: "All organizations and citizens have the responsibility to assist and protect doctors and medical staff when they are performing their duties. Any act that harms the health, life, honor, or dignity of doctors and medical staff while they are on duty is strictly prohibited."

The loss of a human life is an irreparable tragedy. The patient's family has every right to demand an explanation from the hospital regarding the cause of death, and they also have the right to sue if necessary. However, the extreme reactions seen in some recent cases are clearly ill-considered, illegal, contrary to good morals and customs, and repulsive! There are things that money cannot buy, and there are things that money shouldn't be used to "save." One might think that if there were a spiritual world, those unfortunate souls lying in those coffins wouldn't be enjoying such acts of "revenge"!

Please think about it, discuss it, and find effective solutions to resolve it before it's too late. Otherwise, if it unfortunately flares up again tomorrow, it will be truly "uncontrollable"! Let's create conditions for doctors to wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to treating and saving lives!

Khac An