Doctor, other medical staff arrested in Ho Chi Minh City after woman dies during cosmetic surgery

The police arrested Dr Bui Duc Nhien, nurse Pham Thi Quyen and three others at the Paris Aesthetic Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Nhieu Loc Ward Tuesday for violating regulations related to medical examination and treatment.

They said that on May 28 the woman visited the hospital in the former District 3 and received counseling, and a surgical team consisting of the five accused was set up.

During the surgery, the woman showed signs of circulatory and respiratory failure and was transferred to the Thong Nhat Hospital for emergency treatment, where she died, setting off an investigation.

The police said though Nhien and Quyen are qualified medics, they were not registered to provide examination or treatment at the aesthetic hospital.

Several other medical workers there had no medical practice certificates.

"The members of the surgical team violated medical examination and treatment regulations, which led to the woman's death," the police said.

The investigation is continuing.

The Paris Aesthetic Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital was fined twice by the city Department of Health last year for incidents related to cosmetic surgeries.

It was also shut down for three months in September 2024.