The Vietnamese prime minister has approved a project to upgrade more than 70 traditional medicine hospitals across the country from now till 2020, as part of efforts to reduce the overloading at public hospitals. The project aims to deliver a nationwide upgrade in hospital infrastructure and ensure the use of modern medical equipment. The project would also see oriental and western methodologies combined to enhance treatments and reduce overcrowding. Under the project, 24 hospitals will be given priority for investment between 2014 and 2015, while a further upgrade is slated for the 2016-2020 period. The project will also improve 48 other hospitals. Cao Duc Cuong, director of Traditional Medicine Hospital in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, said the hospital is expected to add 50 beds to the current 100 beds in the next two years. Currently, the size of provincial hospitals is determined by population, local demand and service provision. A locality with a population of under one million will typically require a provincial hospital with up to 150 beds, and as many as 200 beds are needed to service between 1.5 million and two million people. Provinces with more than two million people are usually equipped with a hospital of up to 350 beds. (chinhphu.vn Mar 12)
