'Doctors cannot risk their lives while trying to save others'

Delegate Tran Khanh Thu (Hung Yen) proposed that there should be a policy to protect doctors and medical staff during working hours with strict legal sanctions for acts of abuse and violence.

Delegate Tran Khanh Thu - Photo: GIA HAN

On the morning of October 29, speaking at the National Assembly discussion session, delegate Tran Khanh Thu ( Hung Yen ) said that the Government's report assessed the first achievements of the term.

Specifically, successfully controlling the COVID-19 pandemic with the spirit of "putting people's health and lives first and foremost" has been recognized and highly appreciated by the international community.

The image of the frontline force, the image of the white-shirted soldiers has become a shining symbol of bravery, enthusiasm, strongly promoting the Vietnamese spirit and Vietnamese mettle.

Do white-shirt soldiers work in a safe environment even in peacetime?

"But have these soldiers worked in a safe environment even in peacetime? That is the question that haunts me - a delegate working in the health sector," said delegate Khanh Thu.

She reiterated that at the 9th session, there was a report on the issue that caused much outrage in the medical sector when many consecutive cases of violence against medical staff occurred recently.

This is a wake-up call that continues to raise the question of whether the protection of the rights of health workers has really received due attention?

According to delegate Thu, previous assaults on medical staff often occurred in emergency areas, where work pressure and the emotions of patients' families were high.

However, on October 23, a medical staff member was actually bloodied right at work; this time the incident happened right in the neonatal ward - the place that should have been "the most peaceful in the hospital".

"Healthcare workers are already under a lot of pressure. They need to be protected so they can focus on their work of saving lives.

It is clear that many health policies have been enacted to improve the health care system with the aim of creating a safe working environment.

But in the incident on October 23, 4 medical staff, 2 patient relatives and 1 newborn baby were injured. Our nurse suffered 11 wounds on her body, including 4 fatal wounds penetrating the chest, 2 branches of the subclavian artery were severed.

These incidents have been predicted for a long time, and in reality they still happen and tend to be more frequent and more serious," Ms. Thu stated.

Strict handling of acts of abuse and violence against medical staff

She said that medical staff are always ready to face responsibilities and dangers, but the medical industry cannot develop without protection and support for those working in the profession.

"We do not excuse any mistakes, but there must be a mechanism to protect medical staff in all situations, so that we can work with peace of mind without fear of being blamed or abused when an incident occurs.

We love our profession and the patients we take care of every day. But please don't let us save lives and then have to bear responsibility unfairly," Ms. Thu emphasized.

The female delegate added that doctors, nurses or technicians - regardless of their position - have only one reason to enter the profession, which is to save lives. But they can only fulfill that mission when they are protected and safe.

"We cannot let the soldiers in white shirts risk their lives while trying to save the lives of others," Ms. Thu added.

From there, she suggested that there should be a policy to protect medical staff during working hours with strict legal sanctions against acts of abuse and violence.

At the same time, she proposed adding to the National Assembly's resolution on the 2026 socio-economic development plan.

Ensuring that medical staff work in a safe medical environment: Using force, threatening to use force or using other means to obstruct medical staff while performing their duties at a medical facility is an act of resisting a person on official duty.

Ms. Tran Khanh Thu also requested that the authorities consider recognizing martyrs in cases of medical staff who died while on duty and war invalids when medical staff were injured.

Medical staff repeatedly assaulted: Ministry of Health requests support from Ministry of Public Security

Video of medical staff being assaulted at Nam Dinh General Hospital in May 2025 - Photo cut from video

The Ministry of Health has just sent a document to the Ministry of Public Security requesting coordination to strengthen security and safety at hospitals after many incidents of medical staff being assaulted.

According to the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of 2025, the country has recorded 6 cases of medical staff being assaulted while performing their duties of caring for and treating patients.

The incidents have become increasingly serious, including the one that occurred on October 23 at the neonatal department of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. The attack by the patient’s family on the nurses has attracted special attention from the media and public opinion.

The Ministry of Health said these assaults not only seriously affect hospital security and safety, but also directly threaten the health and lives of medical staff, patients and their families.

At the same time, it causes public outrage, hurts the psychology and reduces the morale of medical staff.

To strengthen the work of ensuring security and order in the coming time and effectively implement the Coordination Regulations between the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health in ensuring security, order and the health sector; the Ministry of Health requests the Ministry of Public Security to direct the police of units and localities to coordinate and support hospitals.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health requested the Ministry of Public Security to strengthen coordination and support local hospitals in deploying forces and means; applying technical solutions, managing, operating and effectively exploiting security camera systems, alarm systems connected to the nearest police agency to proactively prevent, promptly detect and handle acts that cause insecurity and disorder at hospitals.

At the same time, coordinate with hospitals to organize drills on security and safety situations and plans in medical examination and treatment areas, especially in high-risk departments and rooms (such as emergency, resuscitation, neonatal, etc.).

Closely coordinate with hospitals, authorities and local authorities 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.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khong-the-de-bac-si-phai-danh-doi-tinh-mang-khi-dang-co-giu-sinh-mang-nguoi-khac-20251029115428551.htm