Nghe An Province's Social Support Centre stole nearly VND800 million (USD36,000) from state allowances for mentally-ill patients under its care over the past five years.
Mentally-ill patients at Nghe An Province's Social Support Centre
Images posted on social media, showing unclothed patients and reporting they were fed meager meals of rice and meat roused concern.
Nguyen Dang Duong, vice director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said funding for the patients meals and care had not been cut, and an investigation proved state money for their care was being stolen.
It is reported that mentally-ill patients fed meager meals
Nguyen Bang Toan, director of Nghe An Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said on October 31 that, from 2011 to 2015, a total of VND779,851,443 had been embezzled.
Each mentally-ill patient at the centre gets a monthly allowance of VND450,000, and others under state care get VND360,000. The centre was paid directly, but cut the amount spent on meals, withheld allowances and used the money for wrongful purposes.
"The centre repaid the money after the investigation began, but we will severely punish those involved once the investigation concludes," Toan said.
The centre is responsible for 122 mentally-ill patients and 18 people under care.
