Vietnamese Medical Students Suspended for Inappropriate Hospital Livestream

Two fourth-year medical students from Hanoi University of Business and Technology have been suspended and are facing disciplinary review for inappropriate behavior during a livestream from a hospital where they were undertaking their internship. The incident has ignited public concern over the ethical conduct of future medical professionals. The Hanoi University of Business and Technology confirmed the situation on July 27, following the viral spread of a video on social media. The footage reportedly shows two young women, dressed in medical attire, sitting at the reception desk of Duc Giang General Hospital and livestreaming on TikTok. During the broadcast, they allegedly gestured towards the screen and made offensive remarks, including threatening to "inject poison" to a user interacting with the stream. The video gained significant traction across various social media platforms, accumulating thousands of interactions, comments, and shares. Many netizens expressed outrage and worry, citing the students' unprofessional conduct and language within a hospital setting. Duc Giang General Hospital clarified that the individuals were not hospital staff but medical students on their internship. The hospital has since worked with their educational institution and terminated their internship placement. Associate Professor Dr. Pham Duong Chau, acting Vice-Rector of Hanoi University of Business and Technology, commented on July 27 that the students' inappropriate statements were unacceptable. "Our university teaches not only professional knowledge but also ethics and character, as doctors are like mothers to patients," Chau stated. "Students must be held accountable for their actions." The university plans to suspend the students' studies and require them to submit a written account of their actions. University media representatives indicated that a disciplinary council meeting with Duc Giang General Hospital is scheduled for the following day to ensure a strict and conclusive resolution. The university did not provide details regarding the students' academic performance. Experts emphasize that individuals studying and working in the medical field, including interns, must adhere to professional ethics, conduct, and dress codes. The white coat, they note, is more than just a uniform; it symbolizes professionalism, responsibility, and the trust patients place in healthcare providers. Hanoi University of Business and Technology has offered a medical program since 2016. Admission scores for the program typically align with the Ministry of Education and Training's minimum requirements, which were 20.5 for the three-subject combination in the high school graduation exam last year. The current annual tuition fee for the medical program is VND 66.28 million.