Ministry of Health Addresses Concerns About Treatment of Critically Ill Patients After Hours

During a recent suggestion to the healthcare sector in the National Assembly’s seventh session, Hanoi voters emphasized the need for improved technical infrastructure planning to alleviate overcrowding in hospitals.

Minister of Health, Dao Hong Lan, reported that efforts are being made to reduce overload in medical facilities by requesting legal support from the Prime Minister to implement various projects.

Lan highlighted the expansion and upgrading of hospital units as a key initiative in easing the burden of overcrowding.

The total number of hospitals in Vietnam has risen by 16 percent from 2014 to 2023, with a corresponding 41 percent increase in the total number of beds available.

The minister pointed out that while central hospitals have addressed their overload issues, the problem persists in provincial hospitals.

A recent report submitted by the Ministry of Health on the Law on Health Insurance from 2009 to 2023 confirmed a decline in overload at central and first-level hospitals.

Regarding patient satisfaction with medical services, the ministry reported a satisfaction rate exceeding 90 percent at a conference in January 2024.

Although patients no longer have to share beds in most hospitals and major facilities like Viet Duc Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital provide individual beds, the spacing between beds remains a concern, as highlighted by the Ministry of Health.

The report stated that about 95 percent of central hospitals have committed to ensuring patients do not share beds within a specified timeframe after admission.

However, a directive issued on August 24, 2024, by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan highlighted a sharp increase in patients seeking care at central hospitals post-pandemic, resulting in overload, diminished service quality, and instances of malpractice.

A recent complaint revealed that cancer patients have been subjected to under-the-table payments to medical staff. Le Van Quang, director of K Hospital, noted that the hospital’s treatment facilities are overloaded, with the radiotherapy unit operating nearly around the clock to accommodate patient needs.