Vietnam April 24 kick-started a project to develop healthcare services on coastal and island areas nationwide with a total investment of VND8.2 trillion ($390.48 million) in the 2013-2020 period, state media reported. As planned, four emergency centers, six hospitals and one hospital ship will be built in 151 districts and towns in 28 centrally-run coastal cities and provinces. In addition, clinics in island districts will be renovated and equipped with modern machines and four new centers used as mobile health facilities for emergency aid will also be built. The country will also develop telemedicine system in island districts to facilitate information exchange and consultation with experts at reputable inland hospitals. According to a report from the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, only 34% of the health centers on Vietnam’s islands have been rebuilt and over 50% of such centers have no doctors. Many of the centers are in bad condition and lack equipment. Some island communes have no clinics at all and island district hospitals face staff shortages. They are in need of a total 1,563 doctors and 265 pharmacists. Since 1991, healthcare activities for people and soldiers in coastal and island areas have been jointly implemented by local people and the armed forces, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said, however, adding that they have not proved to be effective due to improper social and investment policies. (Tien Phong – Pioneer April 25 p2, Thanh Nien –Young People April 25 p6, Cong An Nhan Dan – People’s Police April 25)
