'The damage is not only 800 billion VND but also the lost opportunity for countless people to receive medical treatment'

The Thanh Niên newspaper reports on the ongoing trial of former Health Minister Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến, a case that has gripped public attention due to the staggering sum of over 800 billion VND allegedly lost and wasted. The prosecution's stance, as presented in court, goes beyond mere financial accounting. They compellingly argue that the true damage lies not just in the depleted state coffers, but in the immeasurable human cost – the lost opportunities for countless citizens to access vital medical care. This framing resonates deeply in Vietnam, where healthcare access remains a significant concern for many.

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The consequences in this case are not only economic loss and waste – proven by specific figures – but also enormous damage to society, when so many people did not have the opportunity to be examined and treated.

Thanh Niên highlights the prosecution's robust defense against the arguments put forth by some defendants and their lawyers, particularly concerning the definition and scope of the "consequences" of the alleged actions. The prosecution's insistence that the Criminal Code clearly outlines "loss" and "waste" and that their findings are grounded in expert assessments, not conjecture, underscores the seriousness with which this case is being treated. The emphasis on "waste" as a societal harm, particularly when public funds intended for essential services like healthcare are involved, is a critical point that the paper brings to the forefront.

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Was there anyone who appraised or evaluated this consequence? Not to mention that from this delay, people's trust in the healthcare sector in general and public projects in particular has been lost.

The article also touches upon the specific financial aspects, such as the loss of over 70 billion VND from selecting a foreign consulting unit. The prosecution's clarification that while the government did not prohibit foreign consultants, the selection process for this particular project was indeed irregular, leading to subsequent violations. This detailed examination of financial irregularities, coupled with the broader narrative of lost healthcare opportunities, paints a picture of systemic failure. For Vietnamese readers, this trial is not just about legal accountability; it's a stark reminder of how mismanagement in critical sectors like healthcare can have profound and lasting impacts on the lives of ordinary citizens.

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The state's money does not fall from the sky, to do whatever one wants. The defendants acted against regulations, did not create products, that is causing waste.