The Ministry of Health has decided to increase prices of 350 medical services between 2011 and 2012 in a bid to heighten quality.

Prices of 350 medical services will increase from 2011-2012

Lack of funding

At a recent meeting on the increase in medical fees, officials from many hospitals complained that they were in desperate need of capital in order to improve their services.

Truong Quy Duong, Director of Hoa Binh Provincial General Hospital said they had been struggling to maintain operations, including paying salaries.

Duong said they should have set aside certain funding for maintenance of medical equipment but couldn’t due to the lack of capital. The quality of their diagnosis and treatment could be negatively affected by decline in medical equipment and facilities.

Associate Prof cum Dr. Nguyen Tien Quyet, Director of Vietnam-Germany Hospital said they would be able to improve the quality of medical services and treatment of patients if they had greater funding.

Will patients benefit?

However, many wonder if patients will be the main beneficiaries following increased medical fees as currently many hospitals are overcrowded and lack medical staff.

Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, Director of the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases pledged that with higher income, the hospital would invest more in high-tech medical equipment and services in order to better serve patients.

Doan Huu Nghi, Director of E Hospital echoed the point, “When medical fees are increased, we will be able to upgrade our infrastructure by buying new medical equipment and adding more beds.”

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the increase in medical fees should not affect 53 million people who have medical insurance cards. The ministry would support those who are close to the poverty line and rural residents in buying medical insurance by 2014.