VietNamNet Bridge – Families of the eight people who died after undergoing kidney dialysis at Hoa Binh Province General Hospital have filed a lawsuit against the hospital requesting compensation, according to Nguyen Thi Thu, one of the family members.

Doctors at Hoa Binh General Hospital take care of patients who suffered anaphylactic shock while undergoing kidney dialysis there. – VNA/VNS Photo

Thu told the online vov.vn said on Thursday that a letter had been sent to Hoa Binh Province People’s Court.

On May 29, 18 patients underwent kidney dialysis treatment in Hoa Binh General Hospital. Soon, they reported nausea, abdominal pain and shortness of breath. The same day, eight patients died of suspected anaphylactic shock. The remaining 10 patients were transferred to Hanoi’s Bach Mai Hospital for emergency treatment and stabilised.

The families complained that the hospital did not comply with regulations in the process of kidney dialysis and violated professional ethics.

Tests by Ministry of Public Security’s investigation body revealed that the water used for kidney dialysis in the Hoa Binh General Hospital did not meet health standards.

The director of Hoa Binh General Hospital Truong Quy Duong was removed from the post on August 9 and criminal charges have been imposed on three people who suspected to be responsible for the incident.

Several meetings have been held between Hoa Binh General Hospital and victims’ families regarding the level of compensation, but they have failed to reach an agreement.

"Victims’ families do not agree with the compensation rates proposed by Hoa Binh General Hospital at VND242 million (US$10,700) for the highest level and 136 million (US$6,000) for the lowest level. They requested compensation of VND250 million per victim”, wrote Pham Ngoc Thao, a representative for victims’ families, in a letter sent to Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, the Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper reported.

According to the victims’ families, at one meeting hospital leaders promised to cover two payments, including compensation for mental anguish and assistance for family members who were under 18. The two payments were to be paid by the hospital in advance while the funeral costs would be paid after an agreement is reached between the hospital and victims’ families. But negotiations have failed so far.

Officials from the hospital said that this was the first such incident that had occurred at the hospital; consequently, they were unsure how to solve it. They said the hospital could not afford the compensation sought by families of the victims, adding that they were waiting for written guidance from competent authorities and for the final conclusion of the investigative agency.

If they do not receive instructions, the case will be referred to the court.  

Source: VNS