Hanoi Health Department Official Faces Bribery Charges; Claims 'Received Money Out of Respect'

Tô Tử Anh, former deputy head of the Private Medical and Pharmaceutical Practice Management Division under the Hanoi Department of Health, and seven former colleagues are on trial at the Hanoi People's Court for bribery. Anh claims he received money as 'gratitude' for his advice and expertise, based on his years of experience, to help private clinics arrange equipment and complete paperwork. He is accused of receiving over 1.3 billion VND, but stated in court he only received 166 million VND and denies it was a bribe. Anh is accused of accepting money in exchange for overlooking deficiencies when renewing and reissuing operating licenses for private clinics. However, in court, he explained that he always adhered to the law, and the guidance provided was compensation for his professional knowledge and effort, unrelated to the illegal issuance of permits. He also stated that although he refused multiple times, he felt compelled to accept the money due to 'respect for close relationships.' Anh explained that due to his strong grasp of technical standards and extensive industry experience, many private clinics requested his on-site surveys and guidance on arranging equipment, allocating clinic space, and completing dossiers to meet the Department of Health's regulations. He mentioned visiting some locations up to five to seven times. He stated that the clinics offered money as thanks for his hard work, which he considered payment for his consultation services. He maintained that his actions did not equate to overlooking or condoning violations for illicit gain. As head of the inspection team, he asserted that all deficiencies were truthfully recorded in the inspection reports, and he only approved or submitted them to higher leadership when the facilities had genuinely rectified their errors and met the requirements. Anh affirmed that he did not instruct or collude with team members to 'turn a blind eye' or erase violations for personal benefit. He claimed to have only received 166 million VND in 'thanks' through an intermediary, and questioned why he was being charged with bribery when he did not solicit the funds. His subordinates, facing accusations of receiving 'lubrication fees' from nearly 700 private clinics, also claimed they occasionally received money for 'lunch or travel expenses' as a token of appreciation from clinic owners. During the trial, presiding judge Vũ Quang Huy questioned Anh and his co-defendants, asking how accepting money for meals or travel could be justified when it was their official duty to inspect. He pointed out that official vehicles should be used and public funds allocated, rather than accepting money from those being inspected. The court clarified that at the time of receiving the money, Anh was the deputy head of the Private Medical and Pharmaceutical Practice Management Division and head of the inspection team. Accepting money from the facilities he was responsible for inspecting, regardless of the nominal reason like consultation or gratitude, while performing his public duties, constitutes a violation of the law. The court emphasized that advising and guiding facilities to comply with regulations is an inherent responsibility of officials in such positions. Transforming the state's guidance responsibility into a personal fee-based service is prohibited. Receiving money before or during the inspection process undermines the objectivity of public service. 'The defendant could help people, but he could not accept money from them, even on an emotional basis,' the presiding judge stressed. Anh admitted his wrongdoing and has returned 1.15 billion VND. The trial is scheduled to last for three days. Source: VnExpress