Lithotripsy machine breakdown in Dak Lak: Many patients still have stones after surgery

On September 24, the Central Highlands General Hospital organized a screening examination for 255 patients in the case of a broken laser lithotripsy machine but the hospital still declared lithotripsy.

Clip: Central Highlands General Hospital examines the health of 255 patients in the case of a broken lithotripsy machine

Doctor Le Ka Thuy, Deputy Director of the Central Highlands General Hospital, said that the hospital also held a meeting and invited doctors from hospitals such as Phu Yen General Hospital, Thien Hanh General Hospital and Buon Ma Thuot University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital to coordinate and re-examine the health of all 255 patients.

Central Highlands General Hospital

According to the plan, the hospital will organize examinations for 10 days, from September 24 to October 3, including ultrasound, blood and urine tests and urinary system X-rays. After the results are available, depending on the patient, specialized doctors will have appropriate advice.

Present at the hospital's invitation, Mr. Nguyen Van H. (born in 1974, residing in Ea Ning commune, Dak Lak province) said that in September 2025, he was in pain so he went to the emergency room at the Central Highlands General Hospital. Two days later, he was prescribed laser lithotripsy. After being discharged from the hospital and returning home, he still had the JJ tube in his body so the pain was relieved. However, about 12 days later, he went to have the tube removed, and when he returned home, he continued to be in pain. After that, Mr. H. went to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for treatment and the doctor said that he still had stones in his body.

Good doctors from many hospitals were invited to the Central Highlands General Hospital to examine the health of patients.

Mr. Ho Xuan T. (born in 1961, Ea Rieng commune, Dak Lak province) said that he had kidney stones and urinary diseases. From 2023 to now, he has been to the Central Highlands General Hospital 8 times for treatment, including endoscopic lithotripsy surgery, but still did not recover. After that, he was assigned to open surgery to remove the stones.

“This morning, I had an ultrasound and the doctors said I still had stones. The hospital’s treatment method was unreasonable, causing me to suffer pain for a long time. I had to go back and forth many times, affecting my health and money,” Mr. T. was upset.

255 patients in the lithotripsy machine breakdown case received free medical examinations

As reported by SGGP Newspaper, the Department of Health has just inspected the Department of Nephrology and Urology, Central Highlands General Hospital and discovered that the hospital's laser lithotripsy machine has been broken since November 2023 until now.

During the time the machine was broken, 255 cases were treated with laser lithotripsy. In connection with the incident, Dak Lak Provincial Police prosecuted and temporarily detained the Head of the Department of Nephrology - Urology and the Department of Surgery - Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Tay Nguyen General Hospital.

MAI CUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vu-may-tan-soi-hong-o-dak-lak-nhieu-benh-nhan-van-con-soi-sau-phau-thuat-post814462.html