Vietnam's Deputy Health Minister Resigns at His Own Request

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc has resigned at his own request. Prime Minister Nguyen Phu Trong signed the decision on September 23, making it effective the same day. Thuc departs after 27 months in the role. Thuc, 53, from Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai), holds a PhD in Internal Medicine, a specialist degree (level II), a bachelor's in English, and is a deputy of the 15th National Assembly. With many years at Cho Ray Hospital, he previously served as Deputy Head of the Cardiology Department and Deputy Head of Human Resources. From 2015-2016, he concurrently served as CEO of Cho Ray Hospital Phnom Penh in Cambodia. In November 2019, he was appointed Director of Cho Ray Hospital before becoming Deputy Health Minister in mid-2024. In the National Assembly, Thuc repeatedly proposed mandatory pre-marital health check-ups to detect diseases early and protect the health of families and future generations. In mid-2022, amidst difficulties faced by many hospitals in procurement and bidding, he stated that these procedures consumed significant time for medical staff, impacting their professional duties. He also warned that the exodus of skilled doctors from public to private sectors could hinder the poor's access to high-quality healthcare. Thuc was recognized as one of Vietnam's Top 10 Young Faces in 2007, a national outstanding young physician in 2008, and was awarded the title of Excellent Physician in 2017. The Ministry of Health is currently led by Minister Dao Hong Lan, with four deputy ministers: Vu Manh Ha (Standing), Do Xuan Tuyen, Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, and Le Duc Luan. Previously, on September 2, former Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan was prosecuted and detained by the Investigative Police Agency for Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Smuggling (C03) for bribery. Subsequently, Thuan was expelled from the Communist Party by the Politburo and suspended from his Deputy Health Minister position by the Prime Minister. Source: VnExpress