Hòa Bình People’s Court yesterday opened a trial into seven people implicated in a serious medical incident that killed eight patients at Hòa Bình Province General Hospital on May 29, 2017.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÒA BÌNH — Hòa Bình People’s Court yesterday opened a trial into seven people implicated in a serious medical incident that killed eight patients at Hòa Bình Province General Hospital on May 29, 2017.

Defendants Bùi Mạnh Quốc, 33, from Bắc Ninh City, director of the Trâm Anh Water Treatment Co Ltd, and doctor Hoàng Công Lương, 33, from Hòa Bình City, were charged with manslaughter.

Five others were charged for “lacking responsibility causing serious consequences”. They were Trần Văn Sơn, 29, Trần Văn Thắng, 54, Hoàng Đình Khiếu, 57, Trương Quý Dương, 57, who are all former workers at Hòa Bình Hospital, and Đỗ Anh Tuấn, 43, director of the Thiên Sơn Pharmacy JSC.

A total of 31 lawyers attended the opening proceedings, 10 of whom were defending Hoàng Công Lương.

The opening hearing was postponed on January 8 due to the absence of Lương and several of the victims’ families. Lương reported he had been suffering from mental health issues.

Lawyers yesterday asked for the trial to postponed for a second time claiming representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Security should be present. They also proposed a mental health examination for Lương.

Lương said he was strong enough to attend the trial, but would report any problems he may experience to the judges. However, the proposals were denied.

The trial is scheduled to last 10 days.

On May 29, 2017, 18 patients suffered from symptoms of anaphylactic shock such as breathing difficulties, sudden drops in blood pressure, stomachaches and vomiting while receiving kidney dialysis at the hospital’s Department of Intensive Care. Eight of the patients died in the incident. According to authorities, tainted water for kidney dialysis and poorly operated equipment were the causes of the incident. On April 20, Lương sent a letter to Party, State and Government leaders expressing his hope that the case would be judged in an open and fair manner. — VNS