Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, explained to NA deputies that she could not step down despite widespread criticism for many problems in the sector.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien
The NA deputy from Tien Giang Province pointed out that there were outbreaks of a number of diseases, such as measles and dengue fever recently and that these diseases were preventable, but took the lives of many children. The deputy seemed to put into question the competence of the minister, saying, "The price for each mistake in this sector is paid for in human lives."
Deputies from Vinh Long Province and Danang also raised concerns over the management and slow reaction of the Ministry of Health over the recent disease outbreaks. The NA deputy from Danang said a series of corruption cases and other scandals have been discovered within the health sector over the last year, including the faked blood test results at Hoai Duc Hospital and a doctor from the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology denouncing the institute for replacing high-quality crystalline lenses for lower-quality ones.
He asked, "As the head of the sector, do you feel any responsibility for these cases? In other countries, the minister would resign in such circumstances. Are you thinking of resigning now?"
In response, Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said she could not resign at a moment when the health sector in in the middle of a battle against these diseases. According to Tien, once the measles outbreak is under control, the country faces a high of a risk of hand-foot-mouth and other disease outbreaks. The Ministry of Health is cooperating with other agencies to minimise the fatality rate.
"I can't resign because right now the Ministry of Health is working on seven key assignments, including reducing hospital overload and reforming the entire health sector." She added, "I was assigned this position after working hard and proving my abilities. I always put the interest of the people above all else."
Tien went on to say that NA deputies should be more understanding to workers and administrators of the health sector and give them a chance to do their jobs and best serve their country. Tien said that any violators involved in scandals would be dealt with in accordance with the law, including related agencies and their leaders.
