Vietnam ministries move to ensure security in hospitals amid rising violence

Tuan Minh 16:58, 2019/01/24

In cases of threats against medical staff, patients and relatives of patients, medical facilities should report the assaults to police via hotline 113 and the hotline of local police.

As assaults on doctors and nurses are on the rise, policemen will be sent to patrol at Vietnam’s hospitals at all levels to protect their physical integrity.

That is an agreement reached on January 23 between the Health Ministry’s Medical Examination and Treatment Department and the Ministry of Public Security’s Police Department of Administration and Social Security to ensure security and order in medical facilities.

At the signing ceremony. Photo: Duy Tien

Associate Prof. Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue from the Health Ministry said the number of assaults in the healthcare sector account for 25% of the workplace violence cases. In 2018 alone, there were three serious cases.

Notably, up to 90% of the violence cases occurred when a doctor was in an emergency surgery and caring for a patient, 60% occurred when a physician was explaining to a patient. In many cases, the assaults left serious injuries on medical workers, to the point that they have to undergo medical treatment.

The situation is not only causing unease among the medical staff but also disturbing security and order at medical facilities, Khue added.

Under the agreement, the police forces will handle cases related to security and order issues. In cases of threats against medical staff, patients and relatives of patients, medical facilities should report the assaults to police via hotline 113 and the hotline of local police.

Besides, medical facilities are responsible for protecting medical staff and are required to work with local police and authorities to prevent crimes. Administration and social security forces must be on duty around the clock to receive violence reports.

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