The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has asked all hospitals across the country to set up automatic numbering systems for patients by June. The move is part of the ministry’s plan to reform administration and healthcare procedures to slash the waiting time for patients and address the overloading at local hospitals. Hospitals must also install enough seats for all those waiting, state media reported. Currently, there are more than 1,100 hospitals in Vietnam, with around 40% of which equipped with automatic number systems. The waiting time for medical check has been cut by 48.5 minutes. Luong Ngoc Khue, head of the ministry’s Medical Examination and Treatment Department, earlier said hospital overloading had fallen by 58% in national level hospitals and 47% in provincial level hospitals. (VOV Feb 21)
