Nguyen Quoc Anh

Key Points

• Nguyen Quoc Anh, former director of Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, was arrested in 2020 and convicted in 2022 for abusing his position in a medical equipment price-gouging scheme.
• The scheme involved inflating the price of a robotic surgical system (Rosa Robot), causing over VND10 billion (approximately USD 439,700) in financial damages to patients.
• Anh was sentenced to five years in prison, alongside other hospital executives and business associates.
• Bach Mai Hospital, a leading public healthcare facility, faced reputational damage and financial challenges due to the scandal and broader issues with hospital autonomy.
• Anh also has a separate profile as a medical researcher, contributing to studies on healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic resistance, though this is unrelated to the allegations.

Overview

Nguyen Quoc Anh served as the director of Bach Mai Hospital, one of Vietnam’s largest and most prominent public hospitals, managed by the Ministry of Health. The hospital specializes in advanced medical care, including cranial surgeries, intensive care, and infectious disease treatment. Anh, a high-profile figure in Vietnam’s medical community, was also recognized for his contributions to medical research, with 21 published works cited 262 times, focusing on topics like healthcare-associated bloodstream infections and antibiotic resistance.

However, Anh’s tenure as director was marred by a significant scandal involving fraudulent financial practices. In 2020, he was arrested for orchestrating a scheme to inflate the price of medical equipment, specifically a robotic surgical system, in collaboration with hospital subordinates and private companies. The scandal led to his conviction in 2022, severely impacting his reputation and the hospital’s credibility.

Allegations and Concerns

• Price-Gouging Scheme: Anh was accused of inflating the price of the Rosa Robot surgical system from its market value of VND7.4 billion (USD 319,000) to VND39 billion (USD 1.7 million). This led to patients being overcharged by approximately VND16.5 million (USD 725) per surgery, totaling over VND10 billion in damages across 639 cases from February 2017 to May 2020.
• Abuse of Power: Anh, along with former deputy director Nguyen Ngoc Hien and chief accountant Trinh Thi Thuan, was charged with abusing their positions to sign unauthorized contracts with BMS Medical Technology Joint Stock Company (BMS) without Ministry of Health approval.
• Collusion with Private Firms: The scheme involved collaboration with BMS and Hanoi Valuation and Financial Services JSC (VFS), whose executives were also arrested for fraud and issuing false appraisal certificates.
• Ongoing Investigations: The arrests were part of a broader investigation into fraud at Bach Mai Hospital and related entities, suggesting systemic issues in procurement practices.

Customer Feedback

Direct customer reviews specific to Nguyen Quoc Anh are scarce, as his role was administrative rather than patient-facing. However, the overcharging scandal indirectly affected patients, leading to public outrage and distrust in Bach Mai Hospital’s pricing practices.

• Negative Feedback: Patients were reportedly charged VND23 million (USD 990) per Rosa Robot surgery instead of the legitimate cost of VND6.6 million (USD 283). While no direct patient quotes are available, the financial damage to 639 patients sparked widespread criticism of the hospital’s leadership.
• Positive Feedback: Prior to the scandal, Bach Mai Hospital was highly regarded for its advanced medical services. A 2021 report praised the hospital’s COVID-19 response, with FV Hospital noting its “community responsibility” in treating patients regardless of financial status. This reflects positively on the hospital but not directly on Anh’s leadership.
• General Sentiment: Public sentiment, as reported in Vietnamese media, turned negative following Anh’s arrest, with the scandal fueling distrust in public healthcare institutions.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks: The price-gouging scheme caused significant financial harm to patients and exposed the hospital to potential lawsuits or demands for restitution. Bach Mai also faced revenue losses of USD 174 million during the pandemic, compounded by the scandal’s fallout.
• Reputational Risks: The scandal damaged Bach Mai Hospital’s reputation as a trusted public institution, potentially deterring patients and affecting partnerships with international donors or medical organizations. Anh’s personal reputation as a medical professional was severely tarnished.
• Legal Risks: Anh’s conviction and five-year sentence, along with ongoing investigations into related entities, indicate potential for further legal action against him or the hospital. The lack of a comprehensive legal framework for hospital autonomy adds uncertainty.
• Operational Risks: The scandal prompted Bach Mai to halt the use of the Rosa Robot system and review all equipment procurement, disrupting operations. The hospital’s push to end comprehensive autonomy reflects broader systemic challenges.

Business Relations and Associations

• BMS Medical Technology JSC: Anh collaborated with BMS, led by chairman Pham Duc Tuan, to procure the Rosa Robot. BMS was implicated in the price inflation and faced legal action, with Tuan receiving a three-year suspended sentence.
• Hanoi Valuation and Financial Services JSC (VFS): VFS provided fraudulent appraisals to justify the inflated equipment prices. An appraiser, Tran Le Hoang, was arrested for his role in the scheme.
• Hospital Subordinates: Nguyen Ngoc Hien (former deputy director) and Trinh Thi Thuan (former chief accountant) were convicted alongside Anh, receiving sentences of three years six months and three years’ probation, respectively.
• Ministry of Health: Bach Mai operates under the Ministry of Health, which was criticized for inadequate oversight of the hospital’s procurement practices.
• International Research Collaborations: Anh’s research work involved collaborations with international scholars and institutions, such as Japan’s Norio Ohmagari and the U.S.-based St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation, though these are unrelated to the allegations.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Conviction: In January 2022, Anh was sentenced to five years in prison for abusing his position and powers. He personally benefited by over VND331 million (USD 14,500) from the scheme.
• Lawsuits and Damages: The Hanoi People’s Court trial identified over VND10 billion in patient damages, but no specific lawsuits from victims were reported. Only three of 37 summoned victims attended the trial, suggesting limited direct legal action.
• No Bankruptcy Records: There are no records of personal bankruptcy for Anh or financial insolvency for Bach Mai Hospital, though the hospital reported significant revenue losses during the pandemic.
• Regulatory Violations: Anh’s failure to report the BMS contract to the Ministry of Health violated procurement regulations, contributing to his conviction.
• Related Investigations: The scandal is linked to broader investigations into equipment procurement at other hospitals, such as Hanoi Heart Hospital, where Anh’s successor, Nguyen Quang Tuan, was also prosecuted.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Nguyen Quoc Anh’s case highlights systemic issues in Vietnam’s public healthcare system, particularly in procurement transparency and hospital autonomy. His contributions to medical research demonstrate professional competence, but his involvement in the price-gouging scandal reveals ethical and managerial failures. The collaboration with BMS and VFS suggests a network of corruption that exploited patients for personal gain, undermining trust in Bach Mai Hospital.

Pros:

• Anh’s research contributions advanced knowledge in infection control and antibiotic resistance, benefiting global medical communities.
• Bach Mai Hospital remains a critical healthcare provider, with efforts to address the scandal through equipment reviews and leadership changes.

Cons:

• The price-gouging scheme caused significant financial harm to patients, reflecting poorly on Anh’s leadership and integrity.
• The scandal exposed weaknesses in hospital oversight and procurement, with lasting reputational damage.
• Anh’s conviction and the hospital’s financial struggles pose ongoing risks for stakeholders.

Cautionary Advice:

• For patients and partners engaging with Bach Mai Hospital, verify pricing transparency and seek assurances of reformed procurement practices.
• Avoid direct associations with Anh or implicated firms (BMS, VFS) due to legal and reputational risks.
• Monitor ongoing investigations into Vietnam’s healthcare sector, as further revelations could impact Bach Mai’s operations.

Key Citations

• VnExpress International, “Former Hanoi hospital director arrested in ongoing fraud case,” September 27, 2020.
• Vietnam News, “Former director of Bạch Mai Hospital jailed for five years,” January 24, 2022.
• TienPhong News, “Hanoi public hospital’s executives arrested for price gouging of medical equipment,” September 26, 2020.
• ResearchGate, “Nguyen Quoc Anh’s research works,” accessed May 14, 2025.
• VIR, “Hospitals bemoan autonomy trial flop,” September 14, 2022.
• Tuoi Tre News, “Ex-director of Hanoi public hospital jailed over gouging of medical equipment price,” January 24, 2022.