The director of the National Mental Hospital in Hanoi, Vuong Van Tinh, on April 1 was suspended from work after Hanoi police found a drug ring in the hospital, which led by Nguyen Xuan Quy, a 38-year-old patient.

A similar suspension was also imposed upon Do Thi Luu, head of the hospital’s department of functional rehabilitation and traditional medicine, and Ta Thi Them, chief nurse at the department.

The unit has been providing treatment for Quy, who had a history of mental illness and was admitted to the National Mental Hospital 1 in November 2018.

However, while under treatment, Quy soundproofed and equipped his hospital room with loudspeakers and strobe lights for organizing party drugs. Hanoi police confirmed that they had arrested Quy for drug possession and drug dealing.

He has formed close relationships with certain hospital staff, who granted him privileges regarding accommodation and movements, among others.

Nguyen Xuan Quy and 6.1 kilograms of ketamine and meth. Photo: Viet Dung

On March 20, Hanoi police raided several hospital rooms, including Quy’s, seizing around 6.1 kilograms of ketamine and meth. They also found DJ tables and laptops.

Police also found that Quy, besides consuming drugs, had also sold some to other patients and hospital staff.

Besides Quy, the police also arrested Nguyen Anh Vu, a technician from the rehabilitation and traditional medicine unit at the hospital, to investigate him for concealing the offense. Vu was found to be positive for drugs after a quick test.

Hanoi police have initiated legal proceedings against Quy, along with accomplices Nguyen Van Ngoc, 47, Nguyen Trung Nguyen, 38, Nguyen Cong Thuong, 35, and Le Hoang Hai, 26.

Nguyen Huy Quang, director of Legal Department under the Ministry of Health, said that the infirmary sent two reports on the case to the ministry on Thursday morning. However, the report did not explain why Quy was able to modify his room and operate his drug ring.

The hospital stated it had ordered relevant units to verify the responsibility of the staff members involved in the scandal, as well as coordinating closely with police officers to assist their investigation.

The hospital’s director even said he has no knowledge about Quy’s wrongdoing, and that he was waiting on further police information.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Truong Son told media that the incident was "unacceptable" and those involved would be strictly punished.

The Ministry of Health has requested the National Mental Hospital 1 to work with law enforcement forces regarding the incident.

The ministry also asked the hospital to strengthen security and order at the hospital. The management of patients during treatment at the hospital should be reviewed, Son said.

“Every year, the Ministry of Health has an inspection team to assess the operation and quality of hospitals across the country, the role of the inspection team will also be considered, but the responsibility of the hospitals’ head is more important,” Son stressed.