The Ministry of Health has issued an urgent directive to investigate allegations that Nam Dinh General Hospital refused to provide emergency care to a child unless a deposit was paid in full.

The directive, released on the afternoon of May 4, instructs a thorough review of emergency intake procedures and strict disciplinary action if any violations are confirmed.

Background: Accusation of “no money, no treatment”

The incident came to light after a 2-minute video circulated widely on social media on the night of May 3. In the clip, a man claims he took 4-year-old M.T.A., who was injured in a traffic accident involving a three-wheeled vehicle, to the Nam Dinh Provincial General Hospital. He alleges that hospital staff refused to begin treatment until the full deposit was paid.

The man, identified as H.T.T., confirmed to VietNamNet on May 4 that the information he shared was accurate and urged the hospital to “review security footage to clarify everything.”

The hospital, in a rapid report dated May 4, claimed staff had completed the patient’s intake on the hospital’s internal system, which allowed the child to receive treatment without additional prepayment.

The emergency care team also stated they did not directly communicate any payment requirement to the person who brought the child in.

The hospital emphasized that the child’s parents made no complaints during the emergency process, but committed to “continuing a full review and handling any violations in accordance with regulations.”

The child was later transferred to the National Children’s Hospital, where doctors diagnosed kidney damage and abdominal trauma. During emergency surgery, they discovered a diaphragm rupture caused by high pressure from the accident. The child is currently in critical condition, under intensive post-operative care.

Health Ministry steps in

Dr. Vuong Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Medical Services Administration under the Ministry of Health, said his department had sent an urgent notice to the Nam Dinh Provincial Department of Health, requesting an immediate investigation into the emergency handling of the case and coordination with the National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi to identify any clinical deficiencies and rectify them.

The Ministry has requested full cooperation from all involved agencies and stressed that any confirmed breach of medical ethics or legal obligations will result in strict disciplinary action. The case remains under active review, with public attention focused on the hospital’s internal records and camera footage.

Legal context

The incident has sparked public outrage and raised questions about emergency care policies in Vietnam. Under Article 44 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, healthcare providers are obligated to promptly perform emergency care regardless of payment unless under very specific exceptions. The law also mandates:

Equal treatment for all patients
No personal or financial bias influencing clinical decisions
Costs must be charged only in accordance with legal regulations

Vo Thu