The voluntary examination department of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has been operating for 10 years but has not yet determined its type.

On the morning of August 1, the monitoring delegation of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation had a working session with Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital on the results of 10 years of implementing Resolution No. 18/2008/QH12 dated June 3, 2008 (Resolution No. 18) of the 12th National Assembly on promoting the implementation of socialized policies and laws to improve the quality of health care for the people.

Attending the meeting were Deputy Heads of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation: Nguyen Thanh Hien; Tran Van Mao, and representatives of provincial departments, branches and sectors. Photo: Le Thanh

Inadequacies and problems in implementation

Reflecting on the shortcomings and difficulties in implementing Resolution No. 18, the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: The Government issued Resolution No. 93/NQ-CP dated December 15, 2014, Decree No. 16/2015/ND-CP dated February 14, 2015 implementing mechanisms and policies to promote cooperation and development of medical examination and treatment facilities, however, there are no specific guiding documents, so there are difficulties in the implementation process.

Hospital overload, infrastructure, equipment not meeting demand. The hospital has an examination department that has been operating for 10 years, but there is no clear guidance document, so it is facing difficulties,...

The inspection team inspected the facilities of Nghe An Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital. Photo: Le Thanh

Doctor Phan Van Tu - Director of Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said: The hospital has been implementing the Voluntary Clinic for 10 years now but is still confused in its operations. The Voluntary Examination Department operates independently, has its own account and seal, but there is no specific guidance document for the type of operation. Operating as a public service unit is unclear, and operating as a business is even more incorrect.

In addition, the hospital is autonomous group 2 (units that ensure regular expenses themselves). Therefore, the unit has invested in equipment from socialized sources through the form of capital contribution from shareholders who are civil servants and employees, and installed machines to mobilize resources to strengthen facilities and the capacity to provide medical examination and treatment services to meet the diverse needs of people.

"However, the system of documents guiding the implementation of administrative units implementing socialization still has many shortcomings and obstacles in implementing Decree 151 of the Government on public asset management" - Dr. Nguyen Van Tu reflected.

Public and transparent accounting of revenue sources

Discussing at the meeting, the opinions of the members of the monitoring team requested the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital to clarify the following contents: Use of human resources, financial accounting in the Voluntary Examination Department; public and transparent with patients about additional fees outside of health insurance; organization of human resource training apparatus; assessment of patient satisfaction with medical staff; financial autonomy; public disclosure of additional fees for using socialized equipment;...

The special neonatal care room of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Photo: Le Thanh

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation Nguyen Thanh Hien hoped that the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital would have a roadmap to reach the standards of a Grade 1 hospital; continue to pay attention to the autonomy mechanism; and do a good job of socialization. Along with implementing solutions to increase revenue, the hospital needs to be transparent, public, and democratic in accounting for revenue.

At the same time, the hospital continues to focus on improving the quality of human resources as well as medical ethics for the team of cadres, doctors, and medical staff; upgrading facilities to meet the needs of medical examination and treatment of the people,...

Regarding the Hospital's recommendations, the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies will receive and synthesize recommendations to relevant ministries and branches to remove difficulties and obstacles for the facility.