Medical infrastructure developed to ease hospital overload

The Ministry of Health put much effort into developing medical infrastructure throughout 2015, with a view to easing hospital overload and improving examination and treatment quality, Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said.

The construction of new facilities at a number of major hospitals commenced last year, such as at Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital, Military Hospital 175, Ho Chi Minh City Pediatrics Hospital and Hanoi Pediatrics Hospital.

Up to 610 out of the 766 central, provincial and district hospitals have been built from Government Bond funding, Tien said.

The high-tech building of the Viet Duc Hospital was inaugurated in Hanoi in 2015 (Photo: vietduchospital.edu.vn)

She noted that her sector had enhanced the examination of procurement and use of professional equipment at medical establishments. It also continued working closely with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Medical Equipment Association and experts to research and produce medical equipment.

There are currently 48 establishments specialising in researching and manufacturing medical equipment in Vietnam with a range of 621 products.

Meanwhile, more personnel have received training in operating the equipment, the official said, adding that staff at 62 percent of provincial general hospitals, 26 percent of provincial specialised hospitals, and 32 percent of district general hospitals were trained in equipment use and maintenance.

The health ministry also coordinated with relevant sectors to design 170 standards relating to medical equipment to give clear guidelines to equipment examiners.

Tien said the health sector will direct resources towards better infrastructure, equipment, manpower and medicine supplies at grassroots facilities - especially in remote and mountainous areas.

It will also expand the family doctor network, overhaul financial mechanisms to encourage medical workers’ dedication, and support the buying of health insurance.