Binh Dinh Provincial General Hospital. — Photo vov.vn

The mistake was uncovered on December 11 when officials at Binh Dinh Province’s Social Insurance Department were verifying the 27 'deaths' in order to pay medical insurance costs, said Vo Nam, director of the department.

Le Quang Hung, director of Binh Dinh's Department of Health, explained that members of staff had accidently clicked 'death' when they were inputting the data.

They should have clicked 'stable and discharged'.

The facilities involved in the incident were Binh Dinh Provincial General Hospital, Bong Son General Hospital, Quy Nhon City Orthopedic Rehabilitation Hospital and Quy Nhon City Medical Centre, along with health centres in Tuy Phuoc, Phu My, Hoai Nhon, Phu Cat, An Nhon and Tay Son districts.

Might be time to check your own medical records to make sure you're still alive! VNS

Former heads of Vietnam Social Security brought to court

Le Bach Hong, former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and former General Director of the Vietnam Social Security, at the trial that began on September 18.