Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien received lots of complaints from patients when visiting several large public hospitals in Hanoi on December 8.
During the visit, Tien inspected the National Cancer Hospital, E Hospital, National Hospital of Endocrinology and Friendship Hospital.
At the National Cancer Hospital, a 40-year-old man from Thai Binh Province complained to the minister about the queue system and management. "Everyone is upset. The number stopped at 43 for hours while nurses brought many patients in," he said. "If the line is cut off like this then how long will we have to wait for our turn?"
Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien (right) talks with patients at National Cancer Hospital on December 8.
Tien ordered the hospital to check the situation. Luong Ngoc Khue, Head of Health Ministry's Medical Examination and Treatment Department, asked the hospital to open more than two consultancy rooms to ease overloading.
Talking with the patients and their families who were sitting at the foot of the staircase, Tien was told that there were some 'unspeakable additional expenses'. "Our family members are offered 100% healthcare coverage but we have to be careful and don't dare to rent rooms because of additional expenses," a patient from Nam Dinh Province said.
However, many people were whispering to each other that they had to give VND2m (USD88) for doctors and VND200,000 for nurses. "I've taken care of my relative here for two years. There are many good doctors but there are also who show bad attitude if we don't "thank" them," Hoa, relative of a patient from Vinh Phuc Province said.
The patients also said they were really happy as they didn't have to pay VND2,000 to use toilets when Tien visited.
At the branch of the National Cancer Hospital in Tan Trieu Commune, four patients still have to use one bed. Two are in and two are out-patients. Tien said the patients were being tortured because of amateur levels of organisation.
Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien visited the National Cancer Hospital on December 8 and saw four patients sharing one bed.
"This one room is ruining the efforts to ease hospital overloading. The deputy director of professional services, deputy director of finance and department head must take responsibility," she said.
Nguyen Dai Binh, deputy director of National Cancer Hospital promised to deal with the situation in one day. Tien also asked the hospital to improve the food at cafeteria.
Patients at E Hospital, National Hospital of Endocrinology and Friendship Hospital expressed high regards for doctors' attitudes. The patients said if doctor quality at hospitals in their localities were improved, they wouldn't have to travel to central hospitals.
