Private clinics offer home care services to Covid-19 patients

Many private clinics in HCM City are providing healthcare packages for patient zeros at home.

Many private clinics in HCM City are providing healthcare packages for patient zeros at home.

  

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Bernard Clinic offers two packages for F0 patients. The first package cost VND25,770,000 (USD1,100) with one doctor and one expert who will call once every two days and offer online consultancy for 14 days. The patients will have their samples taken at home to be tested for Covid-19 four times. The patients will also be given medicines and equipment such as an oximeter to monitor blood oxygen levels.

The second package cost VND35,770,000 (USD1,500). The doctor and nurse will call every day to check on the patients, provide counselling and advice on the diet. The clinic said all of the doctors have experiences in treating serious Covid-19 patient at major hospitals. The clinic can provide oxygen cylinders to the patients if necessary and help call an ambulance if the patient's condition worsens.

According to the clinic, the system is overloaded so they can't say how long it will take the ambulance to come. But patients zeros who can be treated at home are screened so it's unlikely that their health will quickly worsen.

Victoria Healthcare Clinic also offers many packages for patient zeros at home that cost from VND1,425,000 (USD62) to VND3,570,000. The doctors will call to check on the patients every day or three times a week. Patients who bought the VND3,570,000 package can pay an additional VND1,400,000 to choose their favourite doctor. However, the patients must prepare an electronic thermometer, oximeter, and blood pressure monitor.

At the Family Medical Practice Clinic, the 10-day Home Care package cost VND12,098,000 (USD527). The cost for the ambulance in case of emergency is VND6,900,000.

The patients can also call the 1022 operation centre of HCM City for medical consultancy for free. Vice-Chairman of HCM City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc said the city authorities were also creating a healthcare package for patient zeros. Support would be provided to patients with difficult backgrounds.