Hospitals are exhausted, workers are exhausted
On December 7, informing Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Lai Van Quynh - Head of the Organization Department, Chairman of the Trade Union of Yen Bai Transport Hospital - said: The People's Committee of Lao Cai province has just reported to the Government to propose solutions to the problems that have been pending for the past 4 years.
Mr. Quynh said that Yen Bai Transport Hospital used to be a familiar address for medical examination and treatment for people in the mountainous areas of Lao Cai. However, since January 2021, the hospital has fallen into a state of financial imbalance, unable to pay salaries to employees. Professional activities were then interrupted, and stopped completely by mid-2024.
Before 2021, Yen Bai Transport Hospital had 64 union members. At the time of the 2023 review, the hospital had 32 union members and currently only 17 union members. For many years, dozens of officers and employees have been owed wages, on average each person owes from 80 - 150 million VND, depending on the position and working time," informed the Chairman of the Trade Union of Yen Bai Transport Hospital.
According to Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, Yen Bai Transport Hospital still owes the drug supplier; owes salaries and social insurance of more than 7 billion VND. The hospital's facilities and equipment have degraded and are damaged, making it difficult to maintain operations. With the current financial situation, the unit is unable to pay debts for salary, allowances, and insurance contributions for staff and other debts.
From the above reality, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee proposed that the Government Office report to the Prime Minister for consideration and direction of the Ministry of Construction to dissolve Yen Bai Transport Hospital and completely resolve the hospital's debts (in case of transferring debts to be paid to the locality, there will be specific instructions from the Ministry of Finance for implementation).
In the immediate future, while waiting for the Government's direction, Lao Cai province will develop a plan to arrange and receive 15 civil servants and 2 hospital contracts to arrange to the agencies, ensuring that they are suitable for the job position and actual conditions of the unit and locality.
Joy after many years of waiting
This is the most humane solution at the moment. Those who stay are very resilient. They stay in the hospital while there are no more patients, no salaries, no allowances, said Mr. Lai Van Quynh.
The Head of the Organization Department of Yen Bai Transport Hospital said that immediately after the working session with Lao Cai Department of Health, doctors and nurses were first assigned to commune and ward health stations in the area. The remaining officials in the administrative sector will transfer to the Department of Home Affairs to continue to arrange work.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Hien shared: I was assigned to Viet Hong Commune Health Station. Although a little away from home, I am really happy. There is nothing more precious than returning to take care of patients. We have waited for too long.
Ms. Pham Thi Phuong, a nurse who has been at the hospital for 17 years, also choked up sharing - she had gone through the most difficult time when she traveled 50km every day to work without a salary, only taking care of medical facilities.
"Many times my family advised me to retire, but I didn't have to. Now that I have been assigned to the Yen Bai Ward Health Station, I feel like I have lost my burden. Thank you Lao Dong Newspaper for speaking out and accompanying to help staff and employees solve their problems," she said.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Hoan, the hospital's chief accountant, confided: "For the past few years, I have had to work for hire everywhere to take care of my family. Now that I have been considered for a suitable job, I am really touched. This is a gift after so much hardship.
Waiting for more solutions to the problem of unpaid wages
In addition to the joy of being assigned a job, what the staff of Yen Bai Transport Hospital are most looking forward to at this time is resolving unpaid wages and social insurance debts that have lasted for many years.
"We hope that the Government and ministries and branches will soon have specific instructions to resolve the issue completely. For many cadres, it is not only salary and insurance but also their entire life's dedication," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Hoan.
