Authorities address patient crowding at Ho Chi Minh City hospitals

Overload is expected to be eased at the two children’s hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City in 2017 as another similar infirmaries will open for young patients in September this year, Tang Chi Thuong, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, said at the conference.

Construction of the second oncology hospital in District 9 is anticipated to be completed by 2018, which should alleviate the excessive number of patients at the existing facility in Binh Thanh District, Thuong continued.

He added that authorities have been applying temporary measures to cope with the issues by shortening medical procedures and increasing the number of beds.

Several leaders of the infirmaries in the southern city pointed out that improving existing facilities and their equipment is important in reducing the current overcrowding problem.

In terms of financial capacity, authorities should consider mobilizing investment not only from the city budget but also from the private sector, Vo Duc Chien, director of Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in District 5, recommended.

Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Secretary Dinh La Thang (R, 2nd) inspects the progress of the construction of the new children’s hospital in Binh Chanh District on the morning of March 6, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The Ministry of Health is advised to issue specific guidance and policy for hospital operators to receive investment from the private sector in order to afford modern equipment, which is essential in providing better healthcare services for citizens, according to Phan Van Bau, director of People’s Hospital 115.

Speaking at the meeting, Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Secretary Dinh La Thang highlighted the fact that competent authorities should collect opinions from attendants, as well as dealing with reported issues that have emerged during the construction of new hospitals in the city.

He added that those contractors who are not qualified to carry out the projects in accordance with schedules should be replaced.

With regard to the financial autonomy of hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, many of their directors suggested that their facilities be independent in the purchase of medicines and equipment in order to optimize service.

The city's Party chief agreed with the proposal and encouraged authorities to establish a suitable mechanism to facilitate the financial autonomy of infirmaries, adding that leaders of the hospitals will then take responsibility for any emerging problems.

On the morning of the same day, Secretary Thang and the delegation from the Ministry of Health paid a visit to the construction site of the new children’s hospital in Binh Chanh District to evaluate its progress.

Thang urged that the new oncology hospital be built according to the schedule to help minimize patient overload.