Appointment of New Deputy Minister of Health
Prime Minister has appointed Mr. Đào Xuân Cơ as the Deputy Minister of Health, following the departure of two previous deputy ministers at the end of September.
Background of Mr. Đào Xuân Cơ
Mr. Cơ, 54 years old and originally from Hưng Yên, has served as the director of Bạch Mai Hospital since March 2022. He previously worked at Hải Dương General Hospital.
He has been involved in the development of advanced resuscitation techniques at Bạch Mai Hospital, including continuous dialysis, plasma exchange, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
In addition to his hospital management role, Mr. Cơ has participated in training and professional activities, holding positions such as the principal of Bạch Mai Medical College and deputy principal and head of the emergency resuscitation department at the National University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Hanoi. He is also the deputy chairman of the Vietnam Society of Emergency Medicine and Poison Control.
Current Leadership in the Ministry of Health
With this appointment, the Ministry of Health’s leadership now includes Minister Đào Hồng Lan and five deputy ministers: Vũ Mạnh Hà (standing deputy), Đỗ Xuân Tuyên, Nguyễn Thị Liên Hương, Lê Đức Luận, and Đào Xuân Cơ.
Recent Departures in Ministry Leadership
The Ministry of Health has been under scrutiny following the departure of two deputy ministers at the end of September.
- The first was Mr. Trần Văn Thuấn, who was arrested by the Ministry of Public Security on September 2 for bribery.
- Subsequently, Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng suspended Mr. Thuấn from his position as Deputy Minister and Chairman of the National Medical Council. On September 16, he was expelled from the Party by the Party Central Committee.
Reports indicate that Mr. Thuấn, formerly the director of K Hospital, was linked to a company that won multiple tenders in various hospitals.
While investigations were ongoing regarding Mr. Thuấn, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Tri Thức was allowed to resign on September 23 for “personal reasons.” He had served as deputy minister for 27 months and was previously the director of Chợ Rẫy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.
Additional Leadership Changes
In September, several local health leaders were also reported absent, delegating their responsibilities or taking leave.
- On September 10, Mr. Nguyễn Trọng Diện, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, issued a decision authorizing another to manage during his absence.
- On September 23, Mr. Bùi Vinh Quang, Director of Hanoi Cancer Hospital, transferred his responsibilities to Deputy Director Vũ Kiên.
- In Cà Mau, Mr. Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Director of the provincial Department of Health, was granted leave on September 22, reportedly for “personal reasons.”
- Mr. Trần Quang Khóa, Deputy Director of the Cà Mau Department of Health, was also allowed to retire early starting in October.
