Many large hospitals in Vietnam have been dealing with 'hospital brokers', who are not hospital staff, yet receive the co-operation of workers inside.
"In some cases, patients at the Vietnam Hospital of Ophthalmology, waiting for surgery, after completing all necessary procedures, could not be found by their doctors. The patients had been approached by operatives of other hospitals who offered them a bed at a private facility," said Deputy Director of the hospital Nguyen Xuan Hiep at a recent meeting in on the issue.
The event attracted representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security as well as those from hospitals which see this phenomenon the most, including the Vietnam Hospital of Ophthalmology, K Hospital and National Maternity Hospital.
“The hospital has installed a system of loudspeakers to warn patients about this practice, instruction manuals at gates and certified registration books. Still, one week later, fake books were being sold right at the hospital doors," Hiep added.
Representatives from K Hospital said, around 5-7 brokers wander around the hospital gates, usually preying on patients from outside of Hanoi.
Pham Duc Muc, Deputy Head of Medical Treatment Department, also admitted to being approached by brokers at the Vietnam Hospital of Ophthalmology.
Medical staff part of problem
Many hospitals have expanded examination wards, provided check-up and test services to start daily at 6:30am as well have increased warnings to patients about brokers. However, the problem continues.
“Without support from medical staff it would be nearly impossible for brokers to operate. But there have been no reports of misconduct on the part of hospital workers," said Deputy Head of Legal Department under the Ministry of Health said.
Viet Duc Hospital has a regulation that any staff who co-operates with brokers will be fined VND10 million (USD476). Nevertheless, to date, no cases have been detected. Bach Mai Hospital does not allow doctors who run private clinics to sit in at the hospital examination rooms.
At the meeting, hospital representatives admitted that co-operation between medical staff and brokers existed, but said that the issue is not difficult to deal with.
But sanctions seem to have had little effect. Since patients often have to wait for a long time for treatment, they are often willing to pay to expedite the process.
