VietNamNet Bridge – Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien yesterday called the death of seven patients of suspected anaphylactic shock while receiving kidney dialysis at Hoa Binh Province’s General Hospital a serious medical calamity.

Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien visits patients at Bach Mai Hospital.

She said an accident of this kind had occurred for the first time in the medical sector.

Paying a visit to the Ha Noi-based Bach Mai Hospital where 10 other affected patients are currently being treated, the official said blood filter expenses of the patients would be covered.

At a press conference at the provincial People’s Committee headquarters yesterday morning, Dr Truong Quy Duong, director of the General Hospital in Hoa Binh Province, claimed responsibility for the accident.

Colonel Pham Van Su, deputy director of Hoa Binh Province’s Police Department, said that the autopsy examination had been completed. The Ministry of Public Security will support the investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Hoa Binh Province’s Police Department began prosecution in connection with the incident.

Nguyen Van Quang, chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the local Health Department would work with the Health Ministry to treat 11 other patients currently suffering from the shock.

Also yesterday morning, 10 patients suffering from anaphylactic shock were sent to Bach Mai Hospital. They are reportedly in stable condition.

One patient, who is in critical condition, is being treated at Hoa Binh Province’s General Hospital. Top medical experts of Bach Mai Hospital have been mobilised to support Hoa Binh Province’s General Hospital.

More than 100 other patients receiving blood filter at the General Hospital in Hoa Binh Province were sent to hospitals in Ha Noi for better treatment.

Speaking on the sidelines of the National Assembly meeting yesterday morning, Nguyen Anh Tri, director of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, told vietnamplus.vn “To reach an official conclusion, we need to conduct a careful investigation. I think the accident may be related to liquid or medicines that patients share while undergoing kidney dialysis.”

Right after the accident was reported on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam travelled to the northern province of Hoa Binh to extend his sympathies to families of those who had died and visit patients undergoing treatment. 

During a working session with leaders of the provincial Health Department, Dam asked them to collaborate with the working group to identify the incident’s cause and clarify the responsibilities of individuals and units concerned. 

The results must be reported to the Health Ministry by May 30.

Earlier on Monday morning six out of 18 kidney patients who were receiving dialysis at Hoa Binh Province General Hospital died with suspected anaphylactic shock. As soon as the deaths were reported, the hospital turned off its dialysis machines. On Monday night, the hospital confirmed the death of the seventh patient. 

The case of Hoa Binh Fatal Dialysis. - VNS Infographic Trương Vi

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