On 22/5, after the arguments concluded, the Hanoi People's Court allowed the defendants to make their final statements before deliberation.
Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, former minister of health, was the first to take the stand. She began by accepting responsibility as the head and then apologized to the Party, the State, the people, colleagues, friends, and family for the violations committed during her tenure. These actions resulted in particularly large losses and waste of State and public assets.
She thanked the investigative, prosecutorial, and court bodies for helping her recognize her mistakes throughout the recent period. She noted this served as a valuable lesson in managing current construction projects, which often face prolonged delays and inefficient capital use.
Reflecting on the two projects, Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital facility 2, which have been partially inaugurated and are gradually coming into use, Ms. Tien described this as "a source of joy and some comfort" for herself and her colleagues.
She stated that she, the other defendants, and many colleagues were deeply involved with the projects from their inception, when they were still a "burning dream." Throughout their work, their sole aspiration was to build modern, regional-level hospitals for the public to benefit from and use.
Finally, she requested the judicial panel to grant leniency to all defendants, especially those who are elderly and ill, so they can return to being honest, useful citizens for the remainder of their lives.
Ms. Tien had previously been recommended by the Hanoi People's Procuracy for a sentence of 5-6 years in prison and joint compensation of 108 billion VND (out of a total 803 billion VND in damages from the case) for "violating regulations on managing and using State assets, causing loss and waste".
Furthermore, she was identified as having received 7.5 billion VND from 100 billion VND in bribes that her subordinates accepted from hospital construction contractors.
Yesterday, according to the court's announcement, her son paid 24.5 billion VND on her behalf. Consequently, she still needs to pay 91 billion VND.
Thanh Lam
