The Provincial People's Council's monitoring delegation monitors the activities of non-public medical examination and treatment facilities in the province.

On the afternoon of August 21, the Supervisory Delegation of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee had a working session with the Nghe An Department of Health on the organization of activities of non-public medical examination and treatment facilities in the province.

696 non-public medical examination and treatment facilities

In recent times, Nghe An's health sector has made good progress. Nghe An is gradually becoming a high-tech, specialized health center of the North Central region. In this process, the non-public health system has made a great contribution. Currently, Nghe An is the locality with the third highest non-public health development in the country.

In addition to favorable factors, non-public medical facilities still face many obstacles and difficulties in their operations; the quality of medical examination and treatment in some places does not meet requirements; there are many violations in the settlement of medical examination and treatment payments for health insurance, life insurance, and violations of the law... In this situation, the Provincial People's Council has selected the field of non-public medical activities to conduct supervision.

Before the working session, the Supervisory Delegation of the Cultural - Social Committee, the Provincial People's Council conducted supervision at a number of non-public hospitals in Vinh city, Quynh Luu district and Dien Chau district.

Reporting to the monitoring team, the representative of the Nghe An Department of Health said: As of July 31, 2023, there are 696 non-public medical examination and treatment facilities in the province. Of which, there are 15 general and specialized hospitals; 35 general clinics; 646 specialized clinics and medical service facilities.

From 2021 to present, through inspections and examinations, the Department of Health has discovered and handled 28 non-public medical examination and treatment facilities operating without being granted an operating license by a competent authority.

During the working session, the Supervisory Delegation of the Department of Culture and Society, the Provincial People's Council discussed the management and organization of non-public medical examination and treatment facilities in the province and requested the Department of Health to clarify some related contents, including: The shift of high-quality human resources from public to non-public health; the situation of law violations, not paying insurance for employees in non-public health facilities; the coordination of the health sector with other sectors and local authorities in preventing unlicensed establishments; the management of spa, tattoo and beauty establishments; and sanctions for establishments practicing beyond their licensed expertise.

The monitoring delegation also pointed out a number of difficulties that non-public medical facilities are facing, such as difficulties in purchasing medicines, chemicals, and consumables; and lack of financial support from the State in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Support for the development of non-public health facilities

Representatives of the Department of Health and Social Insurance of the province also explained and clarified the contents related to the situation of violations of labor contracts at non-public medical examination and treatment facilities; inspection and handling of unlicensed beauty and pharmaceutical establishments in the area; drug supply and bidding for medical equipment at non-public facilities; price appraisal of some medical examination and treatment services; settlement and payment of social insurance arrears, etc.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Chu Duc Thai - Standing Member, Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council stated: In recent times, the non-public health system in Nghe An has made remarkable progress; contributing positively to the development of the health sector. Nghe An's health sector has been doing quite well in managing non-public health facilities.

However, the operation of non-public health facilities currently still faces many difficulties in terms of macro-mechanisms and policies; they have not yet enjoyed many preferential policies and incentives... The monitoring team requested the Department of Health to synthesize the problems to advise all levels and sectors on measures to resolve them, and have support policies to help the non-public health system develop further.

The monitoring team also requested the Department of Health to review and fully evaluate to advise the Provincial People's Committee to implement measures to rectify the situation of unlicensed non-public medical establishments; the Department of Health to coordinate with the Social Insurance to re-evaluate the use of health insurance examination and treatment cost estimates at non-public medical establishments.

For recommendations from non-public medical facilities, localities and the Department of Health, the Monitoring Team will receive and synthesize to report to the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council to recommend competent authorities to resolve./.