Transformation in investment in infrastructure and high-tech medical services.

(Baonghean) - Starting from a point lower than the national average, with only 17.31 hospital beds per 10,000 people in 2010, Nghe An has now reached the target of 23.8 hospital beds per 10,000 people. This is considered a commendable effort by the province's health sector. Based on this result, the province is striving to achieve the goal of increasing the number of hospital beds in public hospitals to 420 beds and in private hospitals to 150 beds by 2015...

Over the years, our province has consistently ensured investment in healthcare development, allocating 9-10% of the province's GDP annually; with a particular focus on investing in the development of healthcare facilities. Notably, in 2014, the Provincial General Hospital, with a capacity of 700 beds and modern equipment befitting a first-class hospital, was completed and put into operation. The provincial health sector continues to coordinate with local authorities to complete the construction of regional general hospitals. It has also actively sought and attracted domestic and foreign investment for healthcare facilities in the province, effectively implementing projects using domestic and foreign capital such as: the North Central Region Healthcare Support Project, the procurement of equipment for 8 district-level hospitals and 7 district-level health centers, etc. The Nghe An Provincial Health System Enhancement Project, funded by ODA from the Federal Republic of Germany, includes investment in equipment for hospitals such as the Provincial General Hospital, the Northwest Regional General Hospital, and the General Hospitals of Tan Ky, Dien Chau, Quynh Luu, and Do Luong; and the construction of a wastewater treatment system at the Southwest Regional General Hospital and the Tuberculosis Hospital.

The Provincial Friendship General Hospital applies advanced techniques in medical examination and treatment.

Over the years, Nghe An has been considered one of the localities that has done quite well in the socialization of healthcare. To date, the province has nearly 10 non-public hospitals such as Thai An, Thanh An, 115, Dong Au, Minh Hong, Phu Dien... with over 1,000 beds; the number of beds increases annually, currently reaching the target of 3.5 beds per 10,000 people; contributing positively to the people's healthcare. In addition, the State's investment in funding for the construction of infrastructure and equipment for the healthcare system must be mentioned. The increase in the number of hospital beds in recent years is also due to the improved quality of medical examination and treatment, basically meeting the needs of the people. For example, the Acupuncture Department of the Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital has recently been oriented towards specializing in the treatment of nerve paralysis.

The system of equipment and the medical staff have received focused investment and professional development. As a result, the number of patients treated at the department has increased annually. In addition, state investment in the construction and commissioning of 100 hospital beds (in 2013) and many new equipment and techniques has contributed to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment; the hospital's bed capacity has increased annually, from 250 beds in 2011 to 300 planned beds currently, with 360 beds actually serving patients. At the Provincial Friendship General Hospital, the planned number of beds was 800, but the actual number of beds in use in 2014 reached 1,063 due to the increasing number of patients. To meet the demand, the hospital has independently balanced its budget to ensure the availability of beds beyond the planned capacity…

At the district level, the number of hospital beds in most hospitals has increased annually. Thanh Chuong District General Hospital, located in a mountainous area, benefits from investment from government bonds and the North Central Region Health Project to upgrade and renovate its facilities and equipment. Annually, the hospital allocates revenue and mobilizes social resources to build infrastructure; collaborates with businesses to invest in equipment to meet the healthcare needs of the people; and focuses on training and improving the professional skills of its medical staff. The hospital has implemented techniques such as laparoscopic abdominal surgery, phaco cataract surgery, and salivary gland tumor surgery. Simultaneously, it adheres to regulations in medical examination and treatment to continuously improve the quality of care and build patient trust. As a result, the number of patients visiting and receiving treatment at the hospital increased, reaching an estimated over 132,000 in 2014. The total number of planned hospital beds increased by 10 beds annually, reaching 200 beds to date. The actual number of beds used exceeded the plan by 60 beds.

The health sector has also decisively directed the quality implementation of the "Project to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment at facilities in Nghe An province in the period 2013 - 2020" and the "Project to improve medical ethics" approved by the Provincial People's Committee. Starting from a point lower than the national average, in 2010, Nghe An had 4.3 doctors per 10,000 people compared to 20.5 and 7 respectively nationwide; by 2014, Nghe An had achieved the target of 23.8 hospital beds per 10,000 people and 6.8 doctors per 10,000 people. According to Mr. Dau Huy Hoan – Deputy Director of the Department of Health, in recent years, the number of patients visiting medical facilities has continuously increased; in 2014, there were 5.7 million visits to hospitals for examination. Providing treatment for 440,000 patients and performing over 50,000 surgeries of various types… the quality of medical examination and treatment is constantly improving, with many new techniques being implemented such as kidney, organ, and bone marrow transplantation…

Alongside strengthening the transfer of technology to district-level facilities and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment at the lower levels, the effective implementation of medical examination and treatment according to the hierarchical system and leveling, and the promotion of healthcare socialization have created favorable conditions for the people, contributing to reducing the burden on higher-level facilities. Most hospitals have applied information technology to hospital management to expedite administrative procedures and focus on the quality of patient care. Medical examination and treatment for policy beneficiaries and children have been implemented effectively at all levels…

To achieve the health sector's goals for 2015, which include increasing the number of hospital beds in public hospitals by 420 and in private hospitals by 150, according to Mr. Dau Huy Hoan, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, in addition to the State's investment, the health sector will maximize existing resources from the central and local levels and promote social mobilization; at the same time, it will strengthen the training of medical staff, providing targeted training for mountainous areas, and establishing mechanisms to encourage the training and development of human resources for the health sector. It will continue to implement the classification and technical catalog for each hospital; and strengthen the effective transfer of technology and doctors from higher to lower levels. To reduce hospital overcrowding, in addition to promoting administrative reforms in medical facilities, the sector will increase the number of clinics and doctors working in clinics. Strengthening infrastructure, allocating more beds for inpatients… According to the 2015 plan, the health sector will develop and build a Traditional Medicine Hospital in a modern direction, combining traditional and modern medicine; improve the quality of the Nursing and Rehabilitation Hospital; develop advanced techniques for specialized hospitals such as: Oncology, Orthopedics, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Psychiatry Hospital and Eye Hospital”…

Dinh Nguyet