A female patient was sexually assaulted by a doctor during a medical examination at Hanoi - Dong Van General Hospital in Ha Nam province, sparking widespread public outrage and renewed concern over medical ethics and patient safety in Vietnam.

On the evening of April 15, the Criminal Investigation Department of Ha Nam Provincial Police detained Vu Duy Cuong, born in 1991 and residing in Duy Minh ward, Duy Tien town, Ha Nam, on allegations of sexual assault.

According to police, the incident occurred during a medical examination at the hospital in Duy Hai ward, Duy Tien town.

On April 14, the victim filed an official complaint accusing Cuong, a hospital doctor, of sexually harassing and assaulting her during a procedure.

Police quickly launched an investigation and confirmed the doctor’s involvement. Cuong was immediately detained, and authorities are now preparing the legal documents required to prosecute him under Vietnamese law.

The case gained national attention after a Facebook user recounted what she called the “most horrifying experience” of her life during a visit to Hanoi - Dong Van General Hospital. According to the viral post, the assault took place while the patient was undergoing an anesthetized gastroscopy, a procedure that requires sedation.

The post triggered a flood of reactions on social media, with users expressing shock, anger, and sympathy, as well as raising questions about the safety of patients undergoing sedation in medical facilities.

Lawyer Nguyen Bao Thang, Director of Bao Thang Law Firm and member of the Hanoi Bar Association, emphasized that Vietnamese medical professionals are required to adhere to strict ethical standards outlined by the Ministry of Health in a 1996 decree. These regulations strictly prohibit unauthorized experimentation on patients and demand absolute respect for patient dignity, privacy, and rights during medical procedures.

“If the investigation confirms that doctor Vu Duy Cuong committed the acts described, it would constitute a serious violation of fundamental ethical obligations,” Thang said.

Vietnam’s Penal Code stipulates severe penalties for sexual assault. If Cuong is convicted of rape under Article 141 and it is determined that the victim suffered psychological or physical harm equivalent to 61% or more bodily damage, he could face life imprisonment.

Authorities noted that depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation, Cuong may face additional charges related to sexual misconduct, reflecting the serious ethical and legal responsibilities expected of medical personnel.

The case remains under close public and legal scrutiny as investigators work to ensure justice for the victim and restore confidence in the healthcare system.

PV