Private facilities urged to do more to boost healthcare sector

The minister made the call at the Vietnam Private Hospital Association’s fifth executive committee meeting for the 2019-2024 term on March 24.

She said that in recent years, the National Assembly and the government had firmed up guidelines and policies, which were reflected in many different documents, creating a crucial legal basis for the development of non-public healthcare.

Health Minister Dao Hong Lan made a speech at the meeting

"Non-public healthcare and public healthcare have cooperated and gone hand in hand in taking care of people's health, contributing to reducing hospital overload, and giving people more choices of medical services," she noted.

According to the minister, the National Assembly recently passed the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. This was an important milestone, and a turning point of the health sector, serving as a legal basis to firming up the guiding content of a Central Resolution continuing the development of medicine in other countries in the region and around the world.

"I suggest that the Vietnam Private Hospital Association contribute ideas to the Ministry of Health in developing guiding documents for the implementation of the Law to create a full and comprehensive legal corridor for medical treatment activities," the minister said.

Currently, there are 335 private hospitals across the country (including 216 general hospitals, and 118 specialised hospitals). Besides private hospitals, there are about 52,000 clinics and medical service facilities. Along with that, the amount of human resources in the private health system is also considerable.

According to the Ministry of Health, the increase in the number of private hospitals has contributed to a rise in the ratio of hospital beds per 10,000 people; and the number of doctors per 10,000 people in our country. Many private hospitals are equipped with modern medical equipment and perform specialised medical techniques.

The Vietnam Private Hospital Association was established in August 2014. It now has more than 2,500 members. Over the past years, the association has greatly contributed to the development of the healthcare sector, and improving people’s health.

Despite the contribution, private healthcare facilities are still facing a number of legal challenges. Hoang Manh The, vice chairman of the association, proposed authorised agencies consider removing regulations on bidding and land auction for private health investment projects, aiding each locality to understand and apply each type of legal policy on private health investment.

The other challenge is bidding for drugs and medical supplies as the current rules lead to private medical facilities being passive and inefficient.

Hospitals look for way out over cost traps in tender rules Hospitals and medical equipment suppliers are looking to get back on the right track with the Ministry of Health hoping to solve price issues when it comes to tender rules of medical supplies.

Hospitals bemoan autonomy trial flop After a trial period of two years, state-owned central hospitals are seeking to cease comprehensive autonomy because of financial challenges and legal complications, urging more legal changes ahead.

Hospital autonomy success hangs on fixes Despite amendments, there are calls for legislation on medicine and treatment in Vietnam to receive valuable changes to facilitate hospital autonomy and pave the way for state-run hospitals to get out of existing impasses.