Social work at hospitals plays an important role in overall health, increasing the quality of general care. But Vietnamese medical facilities have fallen short.
Social work at hospitals plays an important role in overall health
In many developed countries, the social aspects of medical work is emphasised. However, in Vietnam psychological and mental health has been largely lacking, according to many health experts. Those who suffer from mental health issues, HIV/AIDS, or other stigmatised illnesses do not receive proper care, they say.
The Prime Minister approved “Project on social work in Vietnam in the 2011-2020 period”, and in 2011, the health ministry approved the “Project on social work in the healthcare sector”, which aimed at bringing an effective and friendly medical check-up and treatment environment to patients.
Still, to date, social services at Vietnamese hospitals remain limited. A large proportion of the workers in this field are untrained and lack the skills necessary. Hospitals do not have their own boards for social activities.
Most social services at medical facilities depend on charity groups, and there has been a lack of cooperation between the facilities and the groups providing social care.
According to the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, to date, only a small minority of hospitals in Vietnam have implemented social services.
Since many hospitals do not have a license to provide social or psychological care, they not only fail to provide treatment, but also to recruit qualified staff.
Vu Thi Minh Hanh, Deputy Head of the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, said from now to 2015, the health sector will focus more on social work in central-level hospitals, and afterwards on district hospitals.
Hanh suggested that central and provincial-level hospitals should have a board of 10-25 social work staff members under the management of their respective boards of directors.