The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam has called for a thorough review of ministerial responsibilities related to violations in the development of the second campuses of Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospitals.

Authorities emphasize that handling these violations must not delay the scheduled operation of both projects in 2025.

At a recent press conference announcing the inspection findings, the Government Inspectorate revealed it had transferred files and documents related to possible legal violations in the procurement process to the Ministry of Public Security for further investigation. These violations are tied to serious misconduct in the bidding process for both hospital projects.

The alleged violations include seeking approval for four consultancy packages - some involving foreign consultants - without clearly verifying the capacity of domestic firms, as required by law. Additionally, financial proposals and cost estimates for project planning were based on input from pre-selected contractors, which violates legal procurement standards. Inaccurate and non-objective financial data were also flagged, along with illegal practices in assigning consulting contracts for project development.

For Bach Mai’s BM-01 medical equipment package, investigators uncovered significant irregularities in the bidding and contracting stages.

These include prohibited bidding practices, inconsistencies between bid requests and the technical and financial proposals submitted, and inflated equipment prices - many times higher than the subsequent import prices - posing a serious risk of state budget losses.

The Government Inspectorate also transferred evidence of violations concerning bidding, construction, and other legal processes occurring throughout nearly every phase of the two projects.

These include: incomplete investment proposals lacking legally mandated content; design changes made immediately after contract signing due to initial deficiencies; and construction work initiated before securing the necessary permits or technical drawings.

Call for ministerial accountability

Regarding individual accountability, the Government Inspectorate has recommended that the Ministry of Health conduct internal reviews and report to the Prime Minister.

It proposed strict disciplinary action for current and former Ministers and Deputy Ministers who were assigned to oversee the two projects during different periods and were involved in the documented violations.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health must review the responsibilities of Deputy Ministers linked to separate violations involving the Key Healthcare Projects Board, as well as the Department of Medical Equipment and Works (now the Department of Health Infrastructure and Equipment). Each official’s actions must be evaluated in context and addressed according to the applicable regulations.

The Inspectorate also urged the Ministry of Health to ensure the two hospital projects are completed by 2025 and brought into operation promptly to meet public healthcare needs and avoid wasting state resources.

Furthermore, the ministry must review and report to competent authorities on correcting past deficiencies and inaccuracies in the investment cost estimates, ensuring full legal compliance moving forward.

“The enforcement of inspection conclusions must not obstruct the ongoing efforts to resolve existing difficulties in the two hospital projects, in line with Government Resolution 34,” the report stressed.

The Vinh