Patients receive medicine at a hospital in HCM City. —Photo vietnamnet.vn

HCM CITY — HCM City is committed to investing in grassroots healthcare with a focus on the mental and physical health of its citizens and addressing issues related to an ageing population.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said the city planned to empower young talent to play a leadership role in the city’s healthcare sector.

“The rapid urbanisation and changes in lifestyle have had a major impact on the mental and physical health of the residents, particularly young people,” he said.

To address these growing concerns, the city plans to develop a programme that focuses on the mental and physical health of young people, as well as addressing the psychological pressures of modern urban living.

The city is also dealing with the issue of an ageing population, according to Mãi.

With advancements in healthcare and technology, the population is living longer than ever before, posing new challenges for providing care for the elderly and addressing their unique needs.

It is essential to focus on these issues for the well-being of the city’s residents.

Mãi called for a scientific approach, taking into consideration the latest research and advancements in the field of gerontology and mental health.

“By taking a proactive approach to these challenges, the city will be able to ensure the well-being of its residents, both young and old,” he said.

Mãi ordered the healthcare sector to continue to pay attention to preventive healthcare, investment in grassroots healthcare, and the comprehensive use of resources to tackle these issues.

He also recommended a focus on the training of personnel to use technology.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has issued various policies for the healthcare sector, such as a policy on the network of healthcare collaborators and the development of comprehensive and specialised healthcare.

Mãi expresses gratitude to generations of doctors and medical staff for making great contributions to the city’s healthcare and protection of people’s health.

“Throughout the recent period, with their expertise, professional ethics, and dedication, medical professionals have always treated patients as family members,” he noted.

Tăng Chí Thượng, director of the Health Department, highlighted the 10 significant events in the healthcare sector in 2023.

These included the effective deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) at communal health stations, the resolution of serious overload at the Oncology Hospital, and health examinations for elderly people.

Thượng proposed the city approve the construction of a new Mental Hospital in Tân Phú Ward in Thủ Đức City.

He also proposed the city approve an ambitious project to develop the city’s healthcare system into a regional healthcare centre for ASEAN by 2030 and beyond.

He also proposed the new construction of an Orthopedic Trauma Hospital, and the inclusion of the “Establishment of a Health Examination and Disease Screening Centre using high technology in HCM City” project at the Oncology Hospital.

He recommended enhancing human resources for commune health stations based on population scale.

In addition, he proposed the city cooperate with the Cuban Ministry of Health to develop a pilot implementation of the “family doctor model”.

He recommended developing a project to develop young talent in the healthcare sector.

The meeting also discussed specialised training for a high-quality healthcare workforce that meets international standards; and emergency medical services by air, among others. — VNS