The decision to relieve Mr. Nguyen Tri Thuc of his duties as deputy minister of health was signed by the Prime Minister on 23/9, taking effect the same day. Mr. Thuc concludes his tenure in this position after 27 months as deputy minister of health.

Mr. Nguyen Tri Thuc. Photo: National Assembly Portal

Mr. Nguyen Tri Thuc, 53 years old, is from Binh Dinh (now part of Gia Lai province). He holds a PhD in Internal Medicine, is a specialist doctor II, has a bachelor's degree in English, and is a National Assembly delegate for the 15th term.

Having dedicated many years to Cho Ray Hospital, he served as deputy head of the Cardiology Department and deputy head of the Human Resources Department. From 2015-2016, he concurrently held the position of general director of Cho Ray Hospital Phnom Penh in Cambodia. In 11/2019, he was appointed director of Cho Ray Hospital, before becoming deputy minister of health in mid-2024.

In the National Assembly, Mr. Thuc repeatedly proposed mandatory pre-marital health screenings to detect early risks of illness, protecting family health and future generations.

In mid-2022, as many hospitals faced procurement and bidding challenges, he stated that these procedures consumed significant time for medical staff, affecting their professional duties. He also warned that the departure of skilled doctors from public hospitals to the private sector could limit access to high-quality medical services for the poor.

Mr. Thuc was recognized as one of the 10 outstanding young Vietnamese individuals in 2007, an outstanding young physician nationwide in 2008, and was awarded the title of "Meritorious Physician" in 2017.

The Ministry of Health is currently led by Minister Dao Hong Lan, along with four deputy ministers: Vu Manh Ha (Permanent), Do Xuan Tuyen, Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, and Le Duc Luan.

Previously, on 2/9, Mr. Tran Van Thuan, former deputy minister of health, was prosecuted and temporarily detained by the Department of Investigation of Corruption, Economic, and Smuggling Crimes (C03, Ministry of Public Security) on charges of "receiving bribes". Subsequently, Mr. Thuan was expelled from the Party by the Party Central Committee Secretariat and suspended from his position as deputy minister of health by the Prime Minister.

Vu Tuan