Nghe An Province Cracks Down on Medical Clinics, Imposing Over 150 Million VND in Fines and Suspension

The Nghe An Department of Health in central Vietnam has imposed a fine of 152 million VND (approximately $6,000 USD) and a 12-month suspension on Tam Duc 6 Traditional Medicine Clinic for multiple violations of medical regulations. The clinic was found to have committed six administrative violations, including: operating without proper registration, the absence of a registered practitioner during operating hours without authorization, employing unlicensed practitioners, providing services at unapproved locations, inadequate infection control measures, and incomplete medical equipment records. This crackdown appears to be part of a broader effort by Vietnamese authorities to enhance oversight of medical service providers and ensure compliance. In July, the Nghe An Medical University Hospital was also investigated for allegedly defrauding patients and extorting tens of millions of VND. In August, a beauty spa named Phuc Tam 8 was exposed for operating an illegal joint and bone treatment clinic, deceiving nearly 300 people nationwide and defrauding them of billions of VND. Currently, Nghe An Province has 4,096 private medical and pharmaceutical establishments, including 797 healthcare facilities. These comprise 19 private hospitals, 41 general clinics, and 737 specialized clinics and medical service facilities. These consecutive enforcement actions highlight the challenges in regulating the expanding private healthcare sector amidst Vietnam's rapid economic growth and its single-party system. Ensuring service quality and patient protection remains a pressing issue, alongside efforts to improve healthcare access, particularly in rural areas.