Corruption and misconduct in Vietnamese forensic psychiatry

Investigations into financial and ethical misconduct at forensic psychiatry institutes in Vietnam have led to both patient reimbursement efforts and major criminal proceedings.

At the Bien Hoa Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, the Ministry of Health identified that nearly 1,300 inpatient service patients were overcharged for medication between 2016 and 2021. The total discrepancy amounted to 845 million VND, with individual overcharges reaching up to 12 million VND. The Institute has initiated a refund process for affected patients.

Separately, a large-scale corruption and drug-related trial is scheduled for September 28 at the Hanoi People's Court. The case involves 65 defendants, including former directors and officials from the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry. Charges include bribery, abuse of power, drug possession, and gambling. The prosecution alleges that a couple, Nguyen Thi Mai Anh and Le Van Dong, provided bribes and luxury vacations to medical leaders and doctors. The investigation also noted instances of medical staff using substances provided by the defendants.