Following a meeting on 17/7, the politburo reviewed the central inspection committee's proposal and found Nguyen Thi Kim Tien guilty of ideological, moral, and lifestyle degradation during her time as a member of the party's central committee, secretary of the party's civil affairs committee, party secretary, and health minister.

Ms. Tien violated party regulations and state laws in performing her assigned duties, including those related to preventing and combating corruption, wastefulness, and negativity. She also breached regulations concerning conduct unbecoming of a party member and her responsibility to set a good example.

These violations "caused severe consequences," generating public outrage and significantly damaging the prestige of the party and related agencies.

Therefore, the politburo decided to submit the case to the party's central committee to consider disciplinary action against Ms. Tien under its authority.

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, 66, from Ha Tinh, holds a doctorate in medicine and is an associate professor. In early 2007, at 47, she left her position as director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City to become deputy health minister in Hanoi. She was appointed health minister in August 2011. She was an alternate member of the 10th central committee and a full member of the 11th. She also served as a representative in the 13th national assembly. During the 12th national assembly, she was the only government member who wasn't a central committee member.

After eight years as health minister, in early July 2019, the politburo assigned her the additional role of head of the central committee's health protection and care committee. In November 2019, the national assembly approved her dismissal as health minister.

Vu Tuan