HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Health has requested the Ministry of Public Security to send police to guard hospitals to prevent violent attacks on doctors and medical staff.

The decision was taken on April 17 after a series of violent attacks on doctors and medical staff in recent days has come to light.

On April 13, the father of a seven-year-old patient punched a doctor in the face at Hà Nội’s Saint Paul Hospital.

On February 25, a group of doctors in Bố Trạch District’s General Hospital in central Quảng Bình Province were physically abused by gangsters after the doctors failed to save two of their friends who died in a road accident. The two patients had passed away before they arrived at the hospital.

The gangsters also smashed the glass doors of the hospital and threatened other medical staff.

On February 17, doctors at the emergency department of Thái Nguyên Province’s General Hospital were violently assaulted by a relative of the patient while treating a patient in critical condition.

Two other obstetricians at a hospital in northern Yên Bái Province were physically abused by a man and 10 others after the medical workers, who were delivering his baby, asked him not to climb on the window railing to film the birth.

According to figures released by the ministry, there have been five cases of assaults on medical workers since early this year. Last year, the number climbed to a record high, with 25 cases being reported to the police.

Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến said the ministry had asked local police and local authorities to tighten security at hospitals and ensure the safety of the medical staff. However, the co-operation has not been effective, she said.

She asked the provincial police and health departments to set up hotlines to immediately inform the police when they noticed any cases of assault. She also said cameras would be installed at all hospitals.

She stressed that the police force needed to be present inside the hospital premises and undertake regular patrols around conflict hot spots such as emergency rooms.

She cited the example of Việt Tiệp Friendship Hospital in Hải Phòng City, which had implemented these measures, as well as Ninh Bình Province authority. — VNS