Overcrowding at Hanoi’s private clinics and public hospitals for obstetrics appointment has left women queuing for hours.
Pregnant women still waiting for check-ups at 4pm
The reception of Hanoi’s Central Obstetrics Hospital is full to capacity even at 3pm.
A woman had arrived at 10am but she had to wait until 3pm for her check-up and blood and urine tests, with an indefinite wait ahead for the results.
“Despite having to wait for hours, I’m still luckier than many other people. Some pregnant women who came later than me will have to come back the following day as it was too late,” she shared.
Lien from Dai Kim, Hanoi took her daughter who was on the verge of giving birth to the hospital in the early morning but the patient still had to wait outside the labour ward.
Overcrowding is also common at the Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital. Almost all the hospital beds are continuously full, with patients often having to share.
The situation is no better at private clinics in the capital.
A clinic in Dien Bien Phu Street requires clients to register for the service for at least three days in advance. They only start providing the service at 2pm daily, forcing those who live far from the clinic to come early and wait.
“I always have to wait for an antenatal examination. It reached five hours last weekend,” said Vu Ha, a prospective mother from Hanoi’s Ha Dong District.
Another clinic at Nguyen Du Street does not allow clients to register via telephone in advance, patients have no other choice but travel to the place as early as possible.
Some pregnant women have their relatives register on their behalf at 4pm and then show up an hour or two hour later for prenatal check-ups.
