Ministry of Health rectifies communication attitude and medical ethics of medical staff

On August 29, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to hospitals under the Ministry of Health and universities; Departments of Health of provinces and centrally run cities; health departments of ministries, branches; press and media agencies and units on handling press information, reviewing and correcting the attitude and medical ethics of medical staff.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health has always recognized and appreciated the hard work and efforts of doctors, nurses, and medical staff at hospitals, who have been trying to gradually overcome difficulties in terms of lack of human resources, funding, medicine, equipment, medical supplies, etc. to ensure the maintenance of medical examination and treatment, health care for people, build a positive image of doctors, and people's trust in the health sector.

However, in recent times, the media has reported a number of incidents occurring at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, K Hospital... regarding the spirit, communication attitude, and medical ethics of some medical staff, causing public outrage, creating negative public opinion, and affecting the image and reputation of the medical sector.

Therefore, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management requests that hospitals under the Ministry of Health and universities; Departments of Health of provinces and centrally run cities and health departments of ministries and branches direct their affiliated units to review, rectify and supervise the implementation of regulations on the Code of Conduct for civil servants, public employees and workers working at medical facilities; strengthen training in communication skills for medical staff; and at the same time verify, investigate and strictly handle violators.

Units thoroughly implement the motto "Taking the patient as the center," promote the implementation of activities to ensure patient safety with the goal of "Health first is not to harm patients," and respond to the theme of World Patient Safety Day 2023 "Listening to the voices and thoughts of patients."

To the press and media units, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management expressed its hope that the units would continue to accompany the medical examination and treatment system in the journey to improve hospital quality, not only detecting negative aspects but also recognizing and honoring good examples of individuals and groups, contributing to enhancing the image and portrait of the medical practitioner "A good doctor is like a mother"./.