Mother Sues Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital After Twin Deaths, Seeks Compensation

A mother has filed a lawsuit against Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital, seeking compensation after two of her triplets died following childbirth. The first hearing was held on September 25, 2024, at the Hanoi Regional Court No. 2. According to the lawsuit and court proceedings, Ms. Lan, 31, was admitted to Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital on November 20, 2024, for a scheduled Cesarean section. She successfully gave birth to triplets, and the three baby girls were cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. Two days later, upon visiting her children, Ms. Lan saw each baby in a separate incubator and was informed by doctors that they were progressing well. However, on November 29, 2024, she observed two of her daughters sharing a single incubator. Two days later, doctors informed her that the two babies had contracted infections and were transferred to the infectious disease room. On December 4 and December 17, 2024, both babies passed away. Ms. Lan alleges that her premature infants should have received individual specialized care in separate incubators, and that placing them together led to infection. She claims the family paid for each child to have a separate incubator. While acknowledging that infections can occur, Ms. Lan stated that if the two babies had been in separate incubators, perhaps only one would have been lost, thus holding the hospital responsible. The hospital stated the cause of death was "septic shock, sepsis, grade 4 brain hemorrhage, and prematurity at 30 weeks of gestation." Ms. Lan is suing for over VND 520 million (approximately $21,000 USD), covering medical expenses, funeral costs, and compensation for health and mental damages, arguing the hospital "infringed upon the health and lives of her two children." In defense, doctors from Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital stated that the diagnosis and treatment for Ms. Lan were conducted according to proper procedures. They claimed that prior to the birth, clear explanations were given regarding potential risks. The babies were born prematurely at 30 weeks gestation, weighing 950g each, and faced risks due to sharing a placenta and being diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, necessitating warnings about potential post-birth complications. An associate professor from the neonatal department testified that there is no medical regulation prohibiting two infants from sharing an incubator, and that the unit uses incubators according to manufacturer recommendations. He also argued that since both babies contracted infections simultaneously, it could not be classified as cross-infection. The Deputy Director of the hospital asserted that the hospital's medical expertise is on par with central-level facilities and that its doctors are committed to patient care with strong ethical principles. He noted that despite multiple explanations to the family, a resolution had not been reached. The court, finding the need for additional documents from the hospital as requested by the plaintiff, temporarily suspended the proceedings and will resume the trial at a later date. Source: VnExpress