Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -Patients taking intravenous therapy must strictly follow their doctor’sprescription to minimise possible side effects, doctors affirmed after recenttragedies have illustrated the dangers of intravenous medicines.

Most recently, on October 16, a 22-month-old baby in Yen Thuong commune in Hanoi’sGia Lam district died after having an intravenous drip at a private clinic inLong Bien district.

Before being taken to the clinic, the baby suffered from diarrhea and fever.Within only five minutes of starting intravenous therapy, the baby showedsignals of anaphylactic shock.

Nguyen Quang Trung, head of the private healthcare management division underthe Hanoi Heath Department, said that the clinic was not licensed to providethe intravenous service.

A 6-year-old girl in the northern city of Hai Phong reportedly diedin the middle of this month after taking an intravenous drip at Le Chan districtGeneral Hospital.

In April, the death of a 48-year-old teacher inthe Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak was also relatedto intravenous therapy carried out at a private clinic.

The recent fatalities have raised the alarm on the substandard practice ofintravenous therapies.

Intravenous therapy (IV) is a therapy that delivers liquid substances directlyinto a vein. The intravenous route of administration can be used for injectionsor infusions. Intravenous infusions are commonly referred to as drips.

With the availability of medical products and healthcare practitioners, peoplein Vietnam, especially in urban areas, nowadays can easily access an emergingmedical service that offers intravenous therapy at home.

The convenience of the service has made more and more people prefer to seek anintravenous drip as soon as they feel unwell. Instead of going to see a doctorat reliable healthcare centres or hospital, they seek the treatment atfreelance healthcare practitioners, private clinics and even uncertifiedproviders.

Nguyen Thi Nga, 60, of Tay Ho district, Hanoi said that whenever she or othermembers in her family feel exhaustion, fatigue and loss of appetite, sheimmediately thought about intravenous therapy as a way to re-hydrate and ingestnutrients.

She said that she thought the practice would help improve their health and stopillness.

“In many cases, I feel better after taking the intravenous drip,” she said.

More notably, Nga said she had met the health care practitioner who offered theservice through her acquaintances and she did not know exactly which hospitalhe worked for or whether or not he graduated from a medical school.

Associate Professor and Dr Nguyen Tien Dung from Bach Mai Hospital saidthat intravenous therapy was a popular medical technique but could pose risks,even fatal ones.

“Intravenous therapy cannot be used for every one and should not always be thefirst option,” he said, adding that almost all medical and liquid substancesused for intravenous therapy could have unexpected side effects.

“Intravenous therapy must follow a doctor’s prescription based on test resultsand the patient’s health conditions,” he said.

The technique must be carried out at certificated health care units andstrictly controlled by health care providers who could address unexpectedsituations in a timely manner.

“It’s very dangerous if someone has an intravenous drip without doctors’prescription and control because they feel tired or a loss of appetite, theycould be experiencing the symptoms of a more serious illness,” he said.

He added that the misuse of the therapy could cause serious complications, suchas for children suffering from pneumonia or heart diseases.-VNS/VNA