The instruction states clearly that one of the causes of overloading in major hospitals is some localities have yet to participate in the satellite hospital project. Furthermore, many medical stations joining the project in 2013-2015 still lack equipment and human resources to receive technique transfer from big hospitals.
The PM asked the Ministry of Health and related ministries, agencies and localities to open more satellite hospitals to reduce pressure in an effective and sustainable manner. He ordered the ministry to increase the transfer of technique and medical professionals to lower-level hospitals, and announce a list of hospitals which are eligible to become “core hospitals”.
Medical workers at the “core hospitals” are also expected to engage in treatment and examination at satellite hospitals. It is also important to note that the ministry should not distinguish between State or private hospitals when converting them into satellite hospitals.
The PM encourages the mobilisation of investment from all sources to build private hospitals and increase their cooperation with public ones. Doctors from higher-level hospitals are expected to provide periodically health check-ups and treatment at lower-level ones, especially in underprivileged regions.
In addition, the application of information and technology must be boosted to assist with the building of remote health assistance system and facilitate technical transfer, medical consultation and training among medical facilities. The PM suggested improving the grassroots-level health system and expanding the family doctor model.
The Government leader entrusted the Ministry of Planning and Investment to arrange investment and official development assistance (ODA) sources to buy equipment for hospitals. The Ministry of Finance must arrange sufficient money to implement measures to ease hospital overload.
Meanwhile, the provincial and municipal People’s Committees are responsible for directing hospitals to join the Ministry of Health’s satellite hospital project and ensure sufficient local budget for the medical stations to receive technical transfers from “core hospitals”.
