Private ambulance enters hospital in case involving 9 million dong charge for 16-kilometer trip

A private ambulance driver allegedly entered an intensive-care ward at Thanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital and used a key to open the door when a family took a patient home, according to the patient’s son.

The son, identified as H.T.K., said his father, H.B.Đ., had spent 14 days in the hospital’s Intensive Care and Poison Control Department. During that time, a man identified as L., believed to be a private ambulance driver, allegedly entered the ward repeatedly and approached relatives of seriously ill patients.

K. said a person wearing a white coat also helped move his father to the ambulance. He asked why a private driver could regularly enter the ward and possess a key. Hospital leaders denied that the driver had his own key, saying emergency and intensive-care departments often receive students, trainees, support staff and family members. They said controlling access is difficult because doors must frequently open for relatives, patient transfers and medical procedures.

“

Why do so many people, even outsiders, have keys to the emergency department and the department for seriously ill patients?

The Thanh Hoa Department of Health has worked with the hospital to review treatment and patient-reception procedures. The Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said Thanh Hoa police were continuing to investigate and instructed the health department and hospital to verify the case and take strict action if violations are found.

The department also said Vietnam currently has no specific procedure governing private ambulances entering medical facilities to collect patients. Families may contact outside ambulance providers when needed, with prices agreed between the parties. There is no nationwide standard price list for emergency transport services.

“

There is currently no common procedure for private ambulances entering hospitals.