Hospital Assault: Danger as Incidents Become More Serious

Recently, the incident of a subject suddenly using a knife to attack and assault a patient's family and nurses at Nghe An Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital shocked public opinion.

This assault not only seriously affects the security and safety of the hospital, but also directly threatens the health and lives of medical staff, patients and their families, causing psychological trauma and reducing the morale of the medical staff.

When medical staff stopped the perpetrator

The incident occurred at around 10am on October 23rd, in room 305, Neonatal Department (Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital). Subject Bang Van Vy (whose wife and two twin children are being treated at the department) suddenly used a knife to attack the patient's family and nurses. In a fit of rage, Vy grabbed a newborn baby and tried to throw it out the third floor window.

In the moment of life and death, nurse Tran Thi Hong did not hesitate to rush in and snatch the child from the attacker, saving the child's life by a hair's breadth. While restraining the attacker, many other medical staff were seriously injured.

In the midst of a dangerous moment for the children, the hospital's medical staff, regardless of the danger, stood up to stop the perpetrator, protecting the lives of the newborns and the patients' families.

According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ), Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council, the phenomenon of assault on medical staff in medical examination and treatment facilities stems from many different causes, both subjective and objective. In reality, most assaults occur in the Emergency and Resuscitation Department, where pressure is high and tension reaches its peak.

First of all, we need to look at it from the perspective of the medical team themselves. They work in a special environment, under great pressure. Every year, the medical industry receives about 200 million outpatient visits, with central hospitals alone receiving tens of thousands of visits a day. The heavy workload causes doctors and nurses to work in a state of constant stress.

Besides, healthcare is a service providing field, so healthcare staff need to be trained and coached in communication and behavioral skills to be able to explain and discuss with patients and their families appropriately, helping to minimize misunderstandings and unfortunate conflicts.

Another factor that needs to be considered is the psychology of the patient and their relatives, especially when they are in a state of anxiety and panic because their loved ones' lives are threatened. Mr. Duc also emphasized that, however, in any circumstance, assaulting medical staff while they are performing their duties is unacceptable behavior.

Severely handle assault cases

According to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, from the beginning of 2025 to now, according to reports from hospitals, there have been 06 cases of medical staff being assaulted while performing their duties of caring for and treating patients. Notably, the developments of the cases tend to become increasingly serious, in which the incident occurred on October 23, 2025 at the Neonatal Department, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

Mr. Ha Anh Duc said that at hot spots such as the emergency department, the medical sector is focusing on educating and adjusting the behavior of medical staff, because no matter how much pressure there is, medical staff need to stay calm, share and restrain. At the same time, the hospital security system must also be strengthened, so that when an unusual situation occurs, security forces can be present immediately. At the same time, the medical sector is promoting innovation in service style and attitude and applying information technology and digital transformation in hospital management.

The Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management visits the nurse involved in the assault case who is being treated at Nghe An Friendship General Hospital. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

In particular, the authorities need to continue to promptly intervene and strictly handle cases of assault on medical staff; closely coordinate with hospitals, local authorities and functional agencies in verifying, investigating and strictly handling subjects who assault and threaten medical staff while on duty, in order to increase deterrence and protect the rights and legitimate interests of medical staff.

In recent years, security measures for medical staff have been effective, but to solve the problem at its root, more systematic and synchronous solutions are still needed. As in the case in Nghe An, the police were present immediately after the incident occurred, and violators were promptly dealt with, thereby creating a deterrent effect and strengthening the trust of medical staff.

In recent times, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security have issued Coordination Regulation No. 03 to ensure security and order in hospitals, which has been implemented for more than 10 years and has brought positive results. However, some immediate measures have not been fully implemented.

To strengthen the work of ensuring security and order in the coming time, the Ministry of Health has sent a document requesting the Ministry of Public Security to direct the Public Security of units and localities to coordinate and support hospitals to ensure security and safety. The Ministry of Health requests the Ministry of Public Security to pay attention to and direct the implementation of the above contents to strengthen security and safety for patients, medical staff and the hospital environment nationwide./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/hanh-hung-tai-benh-vien-moi-nguy-khi-cac-vu-viec-ngay-cang-nghiem-trong-post1073474.vnp