HCM CITY— Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has approved three projects to build new facilities at three regional general hospitals in HCM City to meet increasing demand for health examination and treatment.

Total capital for the Thủ Đức, Hóc Môn and Củ Chi regional general hospitals is estimated to be more than 5.6 trillion (US$240 million) from the city’s budget.

Construction on the 1,000-bed hospitals, which will have 500 beds each for inpatients, will begin this year and finish by 2023.

The modern, high-quality hospitals, which meet ASEAN standards, will be outfitted with the latest medical equipment and facilities to provide patients in surrounding areas. 

The director of the Health Department, Nguyễn Tấn Bỉnh, told Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) that the hospitals were one of the department’s six key projects until 2030.

The hospitals will help reduce patient overcrowding at large national and city-level hospitals.

The city’s gateway areas were chosen to serve patients in outlying and neighbouring areas.

The projects will be submitted to the city People’s Council by October 31 for capital allocation next year.

Construction on Củ Chi Regional General Hospital will start first, followed by Hóc Môn Regional General Hospital and then Thủ Đức Regional General Hospital.

The department has increased enrollment quotas for Phạm Ngọc Thạch University of Medicine since 2008 so that enough staff can be hired for hospitals, district health centres, and commune and ward health stations.

More than 600 doctors who will graduate this year will work at these hospitals when they open, according to Bỉnh.

Doctor at city-level hospitals are sent temporarily to district-level hospitals to work six months to one year and help with training.

For many years, the city People’s Committee has allocated funds to upgrade and build new facilities for grassroots-level health centres and stations, and hospitals in the city.

New facilities at several hospitals such as Cần Giờ District Hospital and District 12 Hospital will open next year.

Construction of new facilities at other hospitals including Nhà Bè District Hospital and District 2 Hospital is also expected at a later date.

District hospitals in recent years have helped reduce patient overcrowding at national and city-level hospitals in the city. The doctors at district hospitals are capable of treating common diseases and offering sophisticated health care services.—VNS