Doctor refused to treat a patient; sparked debate
One of Viet Nam’s best doctors at the National Obstetrics Hospital refused to operate on a patient this week. He said his schedule was too full and her case wasn’t as much of an emergency as others.
The doctor’s actions raised fierce discussions on social media and in newspapers about whether health professionals can refuse patients.
Vietnamese people often request top doctors for non-emergency operations, either because they can afford it or they have personal connections. It instills a sense of trust in the doctor and can help patients feel more relaxed.
Central hospitals therefore become overcrowded and top doctors become exhausted or rushed as they try to deal with long lists of patients.
