Bad fried rice
One of those who was served bad food was 38-year-old Luu Van Thin, who said, “I took my wife to the hospital for treatment for her brain tumour. Because of our financial situation, we depend on the free food delivered by charity groups daily. On the afternoon of December 9, they gave us a box of fried rice, but we were surprised to see that the rice had gone so bad that it was inedible."
Many other patients receiving free food including fried rice, noodles on that day by the group also reported the same situation.
Upon being told, a hospital guard called local authorities, who came after charity group had left.
Le Minh Hien, a hospital official, said, “An increasing number of unsolicited charity groups have been handing out free food to patients who cannot afford it. We are responsible for managing charity groups operating inside the hospital. But those which operate outside fall under the purview of local authorities."
Patients found free food unable to eat
Lam Thanh Hung, a doctor from the Centre for Provisional Health in District 5, said, “Handing out food is a good and charitable thing. Yet the food must still meet food safety, hygiene and health standards.”
Hung went on to say that they would scrutinise charities operating around Cho Ray Hospital and other hospitals. Any charity groups that fail to meet standard requirements would be dealt with, he said.
Currently, four charity groups are registered to provide free meals at the Cho Ray Hospital. Between 4,200 and 4,500 meals are delivered daily.