Hanoi mental hospital director dismissed after addict lives it up with drugs

Vuong Van Tinh, director of the National Mental Hospital 1, has been relieved of his position by the Ministry of Health.

He had neglected his management duties and allowed the law to be violated inside the hospital, leading to severe consequences, the ministry said.

Several executives at the hospital, including three vice directors: Nguyen Tuan Dai, Le Ngoc Tu and Nguyen Manh Phat, have been disciplined for not carefully monitoring how the hospital follows its policies.

On March 20, the Hanoi police department raided the hospital and found 38-year-old Nguyen Xuan Quy, a mentally disabled addict, storing around five kg of MDMA, ketamine and meth inside his hospital room. They also found several bongs, DJ tables, loudspeakers, strobe lights and laptops inside.

Four others, including a technician at the hospital, had tested positive for drugs and are being investigated for not informing authorities of Quy's crimes.

Quy was admitted to the hospital in 2018 for rehab purposes. He allegedly formed close relationships with certain hospital staff, who afforded him privileges in accommodation and travel, among others. Quy soundproofed his room, equipped it with loudspeakers and strobe lights for recreational purposes, police said.