A survey on nearly 6,000 readers of Dantri/DTiNews showed that 74% of them have given "envelops" to doctors for the fear of not being offered good care.
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| 45% of patients and their relatives were not satisfied with staffs\' behaviour or administrative procedures at hospitals |
Among the those who responded, 7% said that they gave the money as a "thank you" to the doctors for particularly good care, and 15% said the medical staff suggested they do it.
In July this year, the Vietnam National Union of Health Workers and the Ministry of Health jointly conducted a survey at Viet Duc, Bach Mai, E and K hospitals along with the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The survey indicated that 45% of patients and their relatives were not satisfied with the staffs\' behaviour or the administrative procedures. K Hospital saw the highest rate of complaints (63%) and National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology with the lowest (7.3%).
Apparently, it is these worries over getting sub par treatment that makes patients feel that they need to offer "gifts" to medical staff and doctors.
Recently, the Ministry of Health selected the five hospitals mentioned above hospitals for a pilot programme to raise the standards of treatment.
All staffs of these hospitals have pledged say “no” to envelops offered by patients and their relatives.
Nguyen Tien Quyet, Director of Viet Duc Hospital, said that any staff member who is caught asking for a bribe will be dismissed.
Better care for doctors needed also
Dr. Professor Pham Manh Hung, Chairman of Vietnam Medical Association, said medical staffs should definitely say “no” with envelops, but it can not be fully blamed the envelop issue for doctors.
Doctors often perform varied procedures on anywhere from 50 to 80 patients a day, which obviously will affect the quality of service.
A doctor providing medical check-up for around 50-80 patients per day is really an overwork, this will affect the health quality. This is a complicated problem that cannot be solved without revamping our health care delivery system.
Associate Professor Nguyen Tien Quyet, Director of Viet Duc Hospital agreed. “A nurse currently is paid about VND1.7-1.8 million (USD81.3-86) per month. If we expect them to improve the level of service their pay should be increased to around VND6-8 million (USD287-382.7). With the current salary, I\'m sure that they accept envelopes."
