The Ministry of Health Aug 21 launched a master plan on building 48 satellite hospitals across Vietnam by 2015 in a move to ease the severe hospital overload at public health facilities nationwide. Under the plan costing VND1.7 trillion ($80.18 million), 14 nucleus hospitals specializing in cancer, trauma, heart, obstetrics and pediatrics will set up 48 satellite hospitals in various provinces nationwide. Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital, the largest in the north, will have 6 satellite hospitals in Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh and Lao Cai provinces while the National Hospital of Pediatrics will have five clinics in Ninh Binh, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong and Thai Binh provinces. Centrally-run hospitals will be tasked with developing the network of satellite hospitals to ensure these hospitals are equipped with modern technologies and qualified staff to better services for the locals. Since 2005, the ministry has implemented a pilot project on satellite hospitals with the participation of centrally-run Bach Mai and Vietnam-Germany hospitals. The project focuses on training, technology transfer, medical equipment provision, and consultations for distance treatment via the internet. The domestic medical sector is failing to meet the rising demand from local citizens, experts said, adding that it reports only 20.5 sickbeds for every 10,000 local residents, versus the minimum level of 33/10,000 required by the World Health Organization. Vietnam needs an estimated VND36.7 trillion ($1.75 billion) to upgrade overcrowded hospitals and build new ones to end the serious hospital overload at state-run hospitals in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City by 2015. (Sai Gon Giai Phong – Saigon Liberation Aug 22 p1, baodientu.chinhphu.vn Aug 22, Cong An Nhan Dan – People’s Police Aug 22)
