Tighten management of forensic psychiatric examination, assign responsibility to leaders

The Ministry of Health requires its subordinate units to strictly implement legal regulations and prevent negative incidents in the assessment and compulsory treatment of mental illness. The dispatch emphasizes the responsibility of leaders and the increased application of technology to ensure transparency in professional activities.

On the afternoon of July 11, the Ministry of Health issued a telegram to the Central Psychiatric Hospital 1, Central Psychiatric Hospital 2; Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry Bien Hoa, Regional Forensic Psychiatric Centers; National Institute of Forensic Medicine; Hospitals under the Ministry of Health; Departments of Health of provinces and centrally run cities; Health of ministries and branches (hereinafter referred to as units) on strengthening management in the field of forensic examination, forensic psychiatry and compulsory treatment of mental illness.

The telegram stated that in recent years, the work of forensic examination, forensic psychiatric examination, and compulsory medical treatment has been focused on, consolidated, improved, and developed; units have made efforts to overcome all difficulties to successfully complete assigned tasks; the quality of examination basically meets the requirements of the prosecution agency. The Ministry of Health , ministries, branches, and localities have actively directed, coordinated, supervised, resolved, or submitted to competent authorities for resolution of many important issues, promptly removed difficulties and obstacles, contributing to innovation and improving the effectiveness of judicial examination activities.

Bien Hoa Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry (illustrative photo)

However, recently, there have been negative situations and serious violations of the law at the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry in Bien Hoa, and the Northern Mountainous Center for Forensic Psychiatry, causing outrage in public opinion. The reason for the above situation is that some leaders and medical staff have not strictly implemented the provisions of the law, professional guidelines, and directives of the Ministry of Health and other ministries and branches; some unit leaders and medical staff have not been exemplary, have not maintained their political will, are easily bribed, enticed to participate in criminal acts or assist bad guys in taking advantage of violations of the law.

To overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings and limitations, ensure continued improvement of the effectiveness of judicial appraisal activities and timely prevent negative behaviors in handling work, the Ministry of Health requires heads of units to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement legal regulations, professional guidelines, and directives of the Ministry of Health and other ministries and branches; maintain political will, and not let bad guys bribe or entice them to participate in criminal acts.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health requires units to continue to lead and direct the strengthening of state management responsibilities for units assigned to perform forensic examination, forensic psychiatry and compulsory medical treatment.

Strengthen supervision, direct professional work and coordinate with competent authorities to tighten management of subjects required for mental health treatment and ensure objective and transparent assessment to meet the assessment needs of prosecution agencies, organizations and individuals.

Strictly implement the provisions of Decree No. 64/2011/ND-CP dated July 28, 2011 of the Government regulating the implementation of compulsory medical treatment measures and professional guidelines, regulations of the Ministry of Health related to compulsory medical treatment; strictly implement the regulations on management of patients with compulsory medical treatment, do not let patients leave compulsory mental health treatment facilities on their own or escape from treatment facilities, causing danger to society and continuing to commit crimes.

Psychiatric hospitals and medical examination and treatment facilities with the scope of psychiatric professional activities must strictly implement professional regulations and regulations on issuing medical record summaries and health certificates (with content on mental status); do not allow subjects to take advantage of these documents to request prosecution agencies to have suspects and convicts undergo psychiatric assessment in order to evade or reduce criminal responsibility when committing crimes.

Strictly implement Directive No. 07/CT-BYT dated September 9, 2024 of the Minister of Health; Official Dispatch No. 3781/BYT-KCB dated June 17, 2025 of the Ministry of Health on strengthening management in the field of forensic examination, forensic psychiatry and compulsory psychiatric treatment. The head of the unit must be fully responsible before the law if violations occur at the unit.

Ensure security and safety for medical staff when performing their duties. Promote the application of information technology and digital technology in management and professional work in the fields of forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry and compulsory treatment. Invest in infrastructure, equipment and facilities for forensic examination, forensic psychiatry and compulsory treatment of mental illness in a synchronous and modern manner, in line with the development trends of the profession and meeting professional tasks.

vov.vn

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