Ever since she knew of the forthcoming hospital fee increase, Dao Thi Cam, 47, from the central Quang Ngai Province, has turned into nothing but a nervous wreck. Her son, Huynh Van Tot, 20, suffering from chronic kidney disease, has been staying at Da Nang Hospital for four years and though they have social insurance, the prolonged treatment has taken a severe toll on her family's financial well-being. Patient Nguyen Van Hai in Bien Hoa is under treatment of kidney's dialysis at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh CityPhoto: Tuoi Tre The news of an increase in hospital fee stung them with the fiercest sting of despair. "I'm so worried about the fee increase. Poor patients like us can't afford to spend any more penny on hospital costs," Cam says sadly. These worries of hers and many others in the same situation have come on the heels of the Ministry of Health's proposal to the government to hike up hospital fee from 30 to 100 percent. Debts piled up … [Read more...] about Patients burdened with hospital fee increase
Hospitality
Public hospitals as good as inns
When well-off patients are turning their backs against local hospitals, the Ministry of Health is seeking to "attract" them by diffusing Vietnam's medical achievements to the people, but...Vietnamese hospitals extremely overloaded Tragedy at public hospitals: having money, can't spendPatients "blackmailed" at hospitals $1 billion runs to Singaporean hospital/year Speaking at a meeting with Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan on July 2, 2011, Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien (Deputy Minister of Health at that time), said that Vietnamese patients spend around $1 billion per annum for treatment at hospitals in Singapore alone. The number of Vietnamese patients who go to Thailand, South Korea and other countries for treatment is also high, according to the Ministry of Health. Therefore, Vietnamese people spend much more than $1 billion for overseas healthcare services. According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnamese patients are not fully aware of achievements and progresses of … [Read more...] about Public hospitals as good as inns
Patients “blackmailed” at hospitals
Overload is not the sole problem for patients at public hospitals. When going to hospitals, patients have to pay a lot of "black fees".Vietnamese hospitals extremely overloaded Patients have to pay "black feesâ for every service at public hospitals and this is an obsession for them. Queuing at the consulting room of a big hospital in Hanoi from the early morning, many patients have to see their efforts in vain. Those who come late and do not queue are given priority to enjoy check-up service early. These disadvantaged patients are mainly rural men. They do not dare to protest, just whisper to each other: "They have money, so they are given priority!" Many patients told VietNamNet that they have pay black tips to doctors and nurses to be examined and taken care "warmly". They said that in a hospital room of a dozen of patients, with only one nurse and one doctor, if they do not pay black tips, they would not have been taken care carefully. Newly-appointed Minister of … [Read more...] about Patients “blackmailed” at hospitals
Tragedy at public hospitals: having money, can’t spend
While many poor patients donâÂÂt have money for treatment, some rich people cannot spend money at public hospitals.Vietnamese hospitals extremely overloaded This article doesnâÂÂt aim in describing the need for healthcare services of the rich and not support the trend of socializing healthcare services to only benefit the rich, but reflects the fact: the ability of VietnamâÂÂs health sector fails to meet the peopleâÂÂs diverse demands. The poor have to accept poor healthcare services and facilities, while the rich are willing to pay highly to enjoy good healthcare services at public hospital but they are not satisfied. Many public hospitals in major cities in Vietnam like Hanoi and HCM City open on-demand consulting rooms to serve the increasing demand for healthcare services of Vietnamese people. Though these consulting rooms quote very high prices for all services, they are always crowded with patients. At the voluntary treatment ward of the Central Pediatrics … [Read more...] about Tragedy at public hospitals: having money, can’t spend
Vietnamese hospitals extremely overloaded
Originating from downgraded infrastructure and overworked doctors and nurses, Vietnamese patients do not enjoy their minimum rights: being examined and taken care considerately. Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien (Deputy Minister at that time), told Deputy Prime Minister at a meeting between the Deputy PM and the Ministry of Health on July 2, 2011 that Vietnamese people spend around US$1 billion per annum for healthcare treatment at hospitals in Singapore. The number of Vietnamese patients who go to Thailand, South Korea and other countries for treatment is also high, according to the Ministry of Health. Therefore, Vietnamese people spend much more than $1 billion for overseas healthcare services. According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnamese patients are not fully aware of achievements and progresses of Vietnam’s healthcare sector, while the country’s health sector has strongly developed to reach the regional and world level, as the Health Minister says. Whether … [Read more...] about Vietnamese hospitals extremely overloaded