Vietnam's Health Ministry to Restructure Hospitals: Balancing Local Management and Central Expertise
The Ministry of Health is set to restructure the hospital system, transferring some hospitals to provincial management while retaining control over top-tier, specialised facilities. This move aims to balance local management with central expertise, but experts warn of potential challenges.
Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình has approved a programme to restructure public service units, including healthcare. Some hospitals currently under the Ministry of Health will be transferred to provincial management, with the ministry retaining responsibility for specialised facilities in oncology, ophthalmology, and other disciplines.
National Assembly deputy Phạm Văn Hòa stressed the importance of preserving these advanced facilities under ministry management. Meanwhile, Professor Nguyễn Công Hoàng cautioned that central hospitals play a crucial role in training medical staff, a function that must be maintained.
Thái Nguyễn Central Hospital, for instance, trains staff for 12 northern midland and mountainous provinces. The hospital's head recently discussed these reforms, highlighting the need for careful planning to avoid disrupting training programmes and ensuring effective management.
Provinces are expected to maintain existing hospitals, expand socialisation where possible, and ensure each locality has at least one specialised hospital and geriatric facilities. However, transferring ordinary hospitals to local management must be accompanied by adequate facilities and trained doctors. The success of this restructuring programme depends on precision planning and balancing local management with central expertise.
