Vietnamese hospitals are facing a serious medical supply shortage

The same situation is seen at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, said the hospital's director, Dao Xuan Co. The hospital had seen a patient surge after the 2023 Tet Lunar New Year Holiday, increasing demand on medical supplies. Every day, the hospital receives around 10,000 people who come for medical check-ups and serves roughly 4,000 in-patients.

The hospital fees are collected in line with insurance levels which are out of date due to being issued many years ago. Meanwhile, medical supply prices and staff salaries have increased.

The hospital collects a mere VND50,000 (USD2.11) for abdominal ultrasound compared to VND110,000-150,000 applied at private facilities.

"We’re worried about how to ensure the salary for the staff based on the new rise from July 1. We are expecting support from the government and the Ministry of Health,” Co said.

Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City is facing the risk of closure also because of the severe medical supply shortages. The hospital has had to send its patients to other facilities for the treatment.

Shortages of drugs and medical supplies have hit Vietnamese hospitals since last year. This is partially blamed on the expiry of circulation registration numbers for some drugs and delays in bidding and procurement, particularly following the arrest of many officials in the health sector for being related to violations in bidding and procurement.

Over recent years, some hospitals have piloted financial autonomy, but it coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to temporary shutdowns. This created financial difficulties for the hospital.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan admitted the difficulties, saying that the health sector would focus on administrative reform and raising quality of treatment. The health sector would also take drastic measures to deal with the medical supply shortage this year.