Tighten management of private medical examination and treatment facilities

(Baonghean) -To tighten the state management of non-public medical facilities, since November 2013, the health sector has coordinated with relevant sectors and localities to establish inspection teams to comprehensively inspect private clinics and hospitals. At the same time, resolutely handle facilities that operate without permission, violate regulations, exceed authority, and operate with poor quality.

In October 2013, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, residing in Hamlet 17, Nghi Phu Commune (Vinh City) sent a complaint to the Director of Nghe An Department of Health and the Principal of Vinh Medical University against Master, Doctor Le Thi Thanh Tam, a teacher at Vinh Medical University. According to the complaint, at about 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2013, her daughter-in-law, Ms. Nham Thi Hue, born in 1989, went into labor and gave birth prematurely before the expected date right in the bathroom at home. Too panicked, Ms. Thuy's family ran to Dr. Tam's Obstetrics Clinic, also in Hamlet 17, about 300m from the pregnant woman's house, to ask for help and cut the umbilical cord. However, Dr. Tam refused and advised the family to call a taxi to take them to the hospital. Although he was not a specialist, looking at the reality, the family knew that: Taking the pregnant woman away at this time was very dangerous. Fortunately, the family called for help from doctor Nguyen Thi Giang Lam, Head of Nghi Phu Commune Health Station, and fortunately, both mother and child were safe.

Dialysis patients at Nghe An 115 Hospital.

When coming to learn about the incident, Ms. Thuy's family expressed to reporters: According to the provisions of the Law, a private clinic is also a medical unit and when there is an emergency patient, it is not allowed for doctors and nurses there to refuse. Regarding responsibility, Dr. Tam was wrong. Regarding medical ethics, it is even more unacceptable, especially when Ms. Tam is a teacher at the University of Medicine, standing on the podium every day teaching medical ethics and medical skills to students... Doctor Giang Lam, Head of Nghi Phu Commune Health Station, said: "That afternoon, I did not have a schedule to be on duty at the station but was returning to my hometown in Nam Dan district. Hearing the news, I quickly turned my car around, rushed back to the station to get tools, bandages, medicine and help the patient. Ms. Lam said: "Such cases of premature birth are extremely dangerous for the mother, there is a high possibility that the mother will have a ruptured uterus and hemorrhage if not handled promptly. Fortunately, the mother had no problems. Personally, I think Dr. Tam's refusal to treat the patient is unacceptable."

To find out the truth of this incident, we went to Vinh Medical University, where Master, Doctor Le Thi Thanh Tam is working and was informed by Dr. Nguyen Trong Tai, Principal of Vinh Medical University: “After receiving the complaint, the school worked with Ms. Tam and learned that this was a true story. Ms. Tam expressed her regret and gave an explanation: The clinic only performed ultrasounds and prescribed medicine but did not have any equipment. She herself has long taught theory and lacked clinical experience. At that time, when the family called a taxi, she would follow the family to take the pregnant woman to the hospital. Through this incident, the school strictly reminded and required Ms. Tam to learn from her experience.” After verifying the obstetrics clinic of Master, Doctor Le Thi Thanh Tam, the Department of Private Medical Practice Management, Department of Health said: Dr. Le Thi Thanh Tam's clinic had expired in 2010 and has not yet re-registered. Meanwhile, the clinic and the entrance to the clinic still have signs saying "practice".

According to statistics, Nghe An currently has 9 private hospitals and 1,400 non-public medical and pharmaceutical units. The contribution of non-public medical units in people's health care cannot be denied, but in reality, many units have received backlash from the people. Mr. TV T, a health worker, said: "I sent my health insurance card to a private hospital. When I had a stomach hemorrhage, I had to go to this hospital for emergency treatment. However, instead of taking me to the emergency room, the officers and doctors still made me and my family wait until the procedures were completed and enough money was paid before being treated."

Also related to this hospital, recently, a patient's family in Quynh Luu district reported: "Their relative was diagnosed with a kidney-related disease and had to have surgery for treatment. However, after the surgery, the patient was still in pain. When transferred to another hospital, the doctors and nurses examined and concluded that the other hospital had only operated and stitched it up, but had not performed any intervention. Fortunately, the family was able to get their surgery money back." Ms. NV T in Block 5, Ha Huy Tap Ward, was upset: "I received medical treatment under the insurance policy at a private hospital. After leaving the hospital, I reviewed the bill and discovered that many tests and services I did not perform were still charged. Only when I requested the provincial Social Insurance did they ask for a recalculation."

Regarding the quality and sense of responsibility of non-public hospitals and clinics, on November 4, 2013, the Ministry of Health held an online meeting with 63 provinces and cities, through which it was assessed that currently many hospitals and clinics are practicing beyond the scope of their permitted professional activities. Abusing paraclinical services (tests, X-rays...) to gain high profits, not posting prices or posting prices but charging higher than the listed prices. Not being dedicated to the profession and patients... The reasons for this existence are: The person responsible for the technical expertise of private medical examination and treatment facilities does not really have a full understanding of the law. The sanctions for administrative violations in medical examination and treatment are not strong enough to deter, and have not mobilized all levels of government and people in the area to participate in inspecting and supervising private medical examination and treatment activities. The human resources participating in the management of private medical examination and treatment practices are still thin.

The actual operation of non-public hospitals and clinics is requiring the authorities to strengthen state management activities. And the incident at Cat Tuong Beauty Salon, Hanoi City has been a warning bell for the Ministry of Health to organize two national online conferences and seminars this November on strengthening state management of non-public medical practice and strengthening hospital hotline activities... Implementing the direction of the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee, this November, the health sector will deploy many measures to tighten state management of non-public medical facilities.

Dr. Bui Dinh Long, Director of Nghe An Department of Health, said: "Currently, the Department of Health has assigned the district health departments to advise the district and city People's Committees to establish an interdisciplinary inspection team to comprehensively inspect the private medical practice in the area. The Health Center has been assigned to coordinate with the district health department to carry out professional work during the inspection. At the same time, the private medical management department has been assigned to advise on establishing an interdisciplinary team to submit to the Provincial People's Committee for a comprehensive inspection according to the plan, first of all in Vinh City. According to regulations, units that have not re-registered for operation after the deadline are also considered violations and the Department has given a deadline for non-public medical facilities to complete their licensing application before November 29. If after December 30, 2013, any unit that has not been licensed but still operates will be strictly handled according to regulations."

From November 20 to November 29, 2013, the Department of Health will conduct a comprehensive assessment of 9 private hospitals in the area. Any unit that violates the regulations will be severely punished, even banned from operating.

Article and photos:Thanh Chung