Case of 8 dialysis patients: Doctor Hoang Cong Luong released on bail

On the afternoon of July 5, Dr. Luong was released on bail after nearly half a month in detention for his involvement in the death of eight dialysis patients in Hoa Binh.

On July 5, the People's Procuracy of Hoa Binh province issued a decision to release on bail Dr. Hoang Cong Luong - who was prosecuted and detained for his involvement in the dialysis accident at Hoa Binh General Hospital that caused the death of 8 patients.The bail procedures were completed on the afternoon of July 5.

In text"alternative preventive measure",The People's Procuracy of Hoa Binh province explained that it was "not necessary to temporarily detain the accused Hoang Cong Luong" and therefore made the above decision. Also on July 5, an order prohibiting Dr. Luong from leaving his place of residence was issued.

Doctor Luong was prosecuted and detained on June 22 for violating regulations on medical examination and treatment, according toArticle 242 of the Penal Code.

A week later (June 29), the Vietnam Medical Association sent a petition to the Hoa Binh Provincial Police and the People's Procuracy at the same level to allow Dr. Hoang Cong Luong to be released on bail. The Vietnam Association of Emergency Resuscitation and Anti-Poison also sent a petition to the Ministry of Public Security stating that the conclusion of the investigation agency made those in the medical profession "extremely surprised, worried, confused" and above all "unconvincing". The association believes that Dr. Luong's mistake was only at the administrative level and did not determine the consequences of the accident.

According to lawyer Pham Thanh Binh (Hanoi),The prosecution of Dr. Luong is not based on solid grounds, so his release on bail is justified.Authorities determined that the cause of death of the eight patients was the water source, while Dr. Luong was not responsible for testing the water source. "In other words, there is no causal relationship between the consequences and the actions of this male doctor," Mr. Binh analyzed.

Mr. Binh said that, tViolations of regulations on medical examination, treatment, production, preparation of drugs, dispensing of drugs, sale of drugs or other medical services are not cases of prosecution at the request of the victim. The fact that some patients in the accident case have petitioned for a reduction of the sentence for Dr. Luong can be considered a mitigating circumstance according to Clause 2, Article 46 of the 1999 Penal Code (amended and supplemented in 2009).

Doctor Hoang Cong Luong on the day he was arrested.

Earlier on the morning of May 29, 18 patients undergoing dialysis at Hoa Binh General Hospital showed abnormal signs. 8 people died one after another; 10 people were transferred to Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi) during the night and have now recovered.

Authorities determined that the cause of the 8 patients' deaths was the water source used for kidney filtration and hemodialysis; chemical residues in the dialysis water were more than 200 times higher than the prescribed level; and equipment was maintained and put into operation without proper inspection.

The investigation agency has prosecuted and detained Mr. Bui Manh Quoc (31 years old), Director of Tram Anh Water Treatment Company Limited, for the crime of Involuntary manslaughter due to violation of professional rules; Tran Van Son (27 years old), officer of the Medical Supplies and Equipment Department of Hoa Binh General Hospital, for the crime of Lack of responsibility causing serious consequences; and Doctor Hoang Cong Luong (31 years old), Department of Intensive Care - Artificial Kidney Unit, Hoa Binh Provincial General Hospital, for the crime of Violating regulations on medical treatment.

According to the initial conclusion of the investigation agency, Dr. Hoang Cong Luong directly signed the repair proposal and knew about the repair and disinfection of the RO water system. However, without receiving a written handover of the repair and not knowing whether the RO water source No. 2 met the standards or not, the doctor still performed dialysis on the patient.

According to VNE