The Deputy Director of Ha Noi Department of Health Luu Thi Lien spoke with the Government’s web portal about the city’s decision to almost double medical services fees at state-owned hospitals.
Can you give details on the increase of hospital fees?
According to a July 17 decision of the city People’s Council, the increase in medical fees will vary according to the class of hospitals.
Examination fees at first class hospitals will be VND17,000 (US$0.8) per visit while the respective cost will be only VND12,000 ($0.6) at second class hospitals.
It will cost patients VND300,000 ($14) per day for a sickbed in the recovery ward at first and second class hospitals.
The rate will be VND113,000 ($5), VND75,000 ($4) and VND52,000 ($3) in emergency wards at first, second, and third class hospitals respectively.
Patients who have to share their sickbed with another person will pay 50 per cent of the fee at the most, while the maximum amount for those who share their sickbed with two others will be 30 per cent.
The fee increase aims to boost financial sources to improve hospital infrastructure and service medical equipment to lift the quality of medical examination and treatment.
How will the increase affect patients, particularly those of lower socio-economic status?
For years, the State has provided the poor with free health insurance. When using medical services, they’ve only had to pay ten per cent of total hospital fees. As a result, the increase will not affect them.
Other groups, excluding ethnic minority people, children under six years old and those who contributed to the revolution, will only pay 5-20 per cent of total hospital fees if they have health insurance. These groups will also not be seriously affected by the rise in cost.
People without health insurance will be most affected by the increase.
Will the quality of medical examination and treatment be improved with the hospital fee increase?
Improving medical examination and treatment is an ongoing objective for the health sector, regardless of the increase in hospital fees.
The city’s Department of Health is focused on enhancing the quality of medical examination and treatment in local clinics, where patients receive the first diagnoses of their conditions.
Last year, the department implemented queue management systems in 20 hospitals and clinics, which have significantly reduced hospital-wait times. Previously, patients were queuing from 2-3am. Now they are able to go at 7or 7.30am.
For the Ha Noi Department of Health, the long term plan is to continue implementing intensive measures to develop the health sector and reduce overcrowding at big hospitals, while improving infrastructure, medical equipment, and doctor qualifications in hospitals and clinics at local levels. — VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News