The 100-bed military and civil health centre on Lý Sơn Island, off the coast of Quảng Ngãi Province. The centre will provide medical services for islanders by the end of 2023. Photo courtesy of Phạm Thị Hương

LÝ SƠN ISLAND — The Lý Sơn Island District in south-central Quảng Ngãi Province is speeding up the finalising process to open the 100-bed military and civil health centre before storm season begins, chairwoman of the Island People’s Committee Phạm Thị Hương said.

The health centre, which was built on the site of the communal health centre, will offer treatment by the end of this year, taking emergency cases on site.

Head of the project managing board, Trần Đình Hùng, said the facility, which was built on 10,000sq.m at a cost of VNĐ287 billion (US$11.48 million), is one of the biggest infrastructure investment projects on the islands.

It will be equipped with standard facilities allowing medical treatment for in-and out-patients and soldiers on the island rather than transporting people to mainland hospitals.

According to an owner of a speed-boat service company on the Island, Nguyễn Danh, islanders have to pay from VNĐ12 million to VNĐ16 million for a boat to carry patients from the islands to the mainland for surgeries.

The standard boat service only offers two or three trips each day during regular hours, so local residents have to rent a vessel in emergency cases, he said.

Danh said it’s also risky in rough seas or storm season from November to March, limiting the operation of boat service from Lý Sơn Island to Sa Kỳ Port in the mainland Quảng Ngãi Province.

He said his boats have taken 11 trips for health emergencies since early this year, and the introduction of the health centre will allow islanders to get better treatment.

Last year, the public security-based Hospital No 199 organised a conference on digital examination and treatment, with the Telehealth for medical staff improving capability in medical consultancy from mainland doctors at major hospitals.

It’s expected that the centre could provide surgeries and serious emergency cases of appendicitis, difficult birth procedures or traumas.

The 10sq.km island has been seen as one of the most favourite destinations in central Việt Nam since it accessed the national power grid in 2014.

It hosts more than 300,000 tourists each year from high season during smooth weather between March and October.

The island, 30km off the coast of Quảng Ngãi Province, is a tranquil destination with 22,000 inhabitants, most of whom make their living from farming garlic and scallion and fishing.

About 20 hotels, guest houses and home-stay services are provided by 56 households with a total accommodation capacity of 1,000 tourists. – VNS