On 22/9, Hoang and Duc, heads of the Urology and Anesthesiology-Surgical departments respectively, were arrested by Dak Lak provincial police. They are charged with abuse of power under Article 356, Clause 2 of the penal code.

Nguyen Ngoc Hoang (left) and Bui Ngoc Duc at the time of their arrest. Photo: Ngoc Oanh

The investigation revealed that from March to May 2024 and from May to 31/12/2024, the hospital's laser lithotripter was broken. Despite this, both doctors ordered endoscopic lithotripsy and recorded in 255 medical records that the procedures were performed using the laser machine.

Of these, 235 records were covered by insurance, costing over 273.9 million VND, with patients co-paying over 33 million VND. The remaining 20 records were for uninsured patients who paid nearly 26 million VND out-of-pocket. The hospital also paid over 60 million VND for surgical procedures related to these 255 cases.

According to the police, these actions defrauded health insurance of over 273.9 million VND and patients of over 59 million VND. The incident has seriously damaged the reputation of Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital, harmed patient rights and well-being, and caused public outrage.

The investigation is ongoing.

In July, during a routine inspection of Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital, the Dak Lak Department of Health discovered the laser lithotripter had been out of service since November 2023.

480 patients underwent stone removal surgery while the lithotripter was broken. Of these, 255 had open surgery but were recorded as having laser lithotripsy in their insurance claims.

More than 20 staff members at Tay Nguyen Regional General Hospital received warnings and administrative fines related to these violations.

Ngoc Oanh