Vietnam Health Deputy Minister, Phu Tho Vice Chairman Expelled from Party Over Bribery Case

Vietnam's Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan and Phu Tho Vice Chairman Nguyen Huy Ngoc have been expelled from the Communist Party by the Central Committee's Secretariat due to their involvement in a bribery case linked to Viet My Medical Company. Both officials were found to have committed "extremely serious" violations. The decision was made at a meeting of the Central Committee's Secretariat on September 16, following a proposal from the Central Inspection Commission. Party expulsion is the most severe disciplinary measure for party members. Prior to this, Deputy Minister Thuan had been suspended from his duties by the Prime Minister. He was also arrested and detained by police on suspicion of "receiving bribes." Authorities stated that the amount of bribe he received was "large," but did not disclose a specific figure. The case is related to corruption allegations surrounding Viet My Medical Company, whose former chairman, CEO, and accountant have already been arrested and prosecuted. According to investigators, the company allegedly established subsidiaries in Singapore and Hong Kong to inflate the prices of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals before importing them into Vietnam. Meanwhile, Nguyen Huy Ngoc, formerly the director of the Phu Tho Provincial Department of Health, has also been arrested and detained on "receiving bribes" charges. He is also reported to have received "a large sum of money," though specific details have not been revealed. This action is seen as part of Vietnam's ongoing anti-corruption campaign led by the top leadership. In a one-party system, party disciplinary violations not only signify the end of a political career but also lead to removal from public office. This incident highlights the severity of corruption in the healthcare sector and the government's determination to eradicate it.