Vietnam Ministry Reviews Public Healthcare in 2015

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health Feb 29 held a meeting to review operations in the northern region and set out plans for this year, with a focus on improving disease prevention, medical care, and private investment in the sector. In 2015, over 1,300 hospitals in the north provided examination and inpatient treatment for over 146 million cases, up 4.5% compared to that in 2014. The figure includes 13.5 million people hospitalized for inpatient care. Vietnam has average seven doctors per a population of 10,000 and a bed availability rate of 32.1 beds/10,000 residents, up 7.4 beds per 10,000 people from that in 2012. To date, up to 90%, or 35 out of 39, hospitals in the central level have committed to not letting patients share beds within the first 24 hours and 48 hours, depending on the injury level. The hospital satellite network in 2015 has been expanded significantly, comprising 15 nuclear hospitals and 53 satellite hospitals located in 37 provinces and cities across Vietnam. Of the figure, eight are nuclear hospitals directly managed by the MoH while six are under the HCM City Health Department. As of end January 2016, up to 1,273 hospitals at various levels have conducted quality evaluation and submitted their score reports. The average score self-evaluated by Vietnamese hospitals is 3.1, versus 2.8 graded by the authorities. The average score at the central level is 3.5, at provincial level is 2.8, and at district level is 2.6. Private hospitals receive a grade of between 2.53 and 2.9. (VietnamPlus Mar 1)