The director of a national mental health hospital in Hanoi has lost his job title after a patient was caught operating a drug dealing racket on site and even throwing drug parties with the participation of hospital staff members nearly two months ago.

The Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday morning that the agency had removed Vuong Van Tinh, director of the National Mental Hospital 1 in Thuong Tin District, from his position for mismanagement that led to serious consequences.

Nguyen Tuan Dai, deputy director of the infirmary, was reprimanded for failure to ensure regulations are strictly followed at the medical facility.

Since the incident was discovered at the hospital nearly two months ago, the health ministry has established a disciplinary council and convened several meetings to review the responsibility of those in charge and determine the suitable disciplinary action for them.

The ministry will continue coordinating with law enforcement agencies in their investigation into the case.

Further action will be taken when the probe is completed.

Nguyen Tuan Hung, deputy head of the Department of Organization and Personnel under the Ministry of Health, has been tasked with managing the National Mental Hospital 1 until a new director is appointed.

On March 31, police officers under the municipal Department of Public Security confirmed they had broken up an illegal drug racket run by Nguyen Xuan Quy, 39, who had a history of mental illness and was admitted to the National Mental Hospital 1 in November 2018.

Quy, as an inpatient, was found to have modified his room at the hospital. He equipped it with soundproofing, loudspeakers, and laser lights to use drugs and party with friends, some hospital staff members, and even prostitutes.

He operated the illegal drug trading ring right on the premises of the infirmary and had multiple subordinates.

Officers then arrested Quy, along with his four accomplices.

Nguyen Anh Vu, a technician of the hospital’s department of functional rehabilitation and traditional medicine, was charged for failure to report a crime.

Police also confiscated 6.1 kilograms of synthetic drugs after searching the suspects’ places of residence.

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