MoH tightens regulations on charity work in healthcare
The Ministry of Health has issued a new circular to tighten regulations on conduct of medical check-ups and treatment for charity.
The circular imposes strict conditions on organisations that conduct charity healthcare work in Vietnam.
The Circular 30, which will replace the old regulation issued in 2002, was drafted after three infants died during operations conducted by a non-governmental organisation two weeks ago.
According to the circular, except the Ministry of Defence and the Vietnam Red Cross, domestic and international organisations and individuals who wish to conduct charitable medical activities in Vietnam must follow the regulations.
It stipulates that medical teams doing charity work must include local doctors and health staff who have professional certificates issued by the health authorities.
The check-ups and treatment activities must be held at licensed hospitals and health clinics. The medical team must have the agreement papers of the hospital and health clinic and the local authority before commencing charity work.
In case, the activities take place in other places, they must meet the requirements on patient reception, consulting rooms and criteria for the control of bacterial contamination.
The organisations and individuals who hold the event must send a report on the results of their operation to the health authorities within ten days of the end of the charity work.
The circular will take effect from October 15.
Earlier on August 23, the Center for Researching and Aiding Smile Operation, a Hanoi-based non-government charity, in coordination with the Military Hospital No87, had conducted cleft lip and palate operations in the southern KhanhHoa Province.
Three infants, namely an 11-month-old girl, a 14-month-old boy and a 19-month-old boy, allegedly died to due to the effects of anaesthesia.
The Ministry of Health's Department of Medical Examination and Treatment has suspended the operations done by the charity. Police have launched investigation into the three deaths.
Initial investigation showed that the charity was only allowed to research cleft lip and palate syndrome and raise funds for surgeries.
The charity, which was established in 2007, has performed nearly 3,000 cosmetic surgeries on poor children nationwide.