Those interested in the health sector must remember the words of Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, Director of Hung Vuong Hospital: "I have 2 children who have also entered the health sector. I told my children that if they choose a career that is rich in money, they should not choose the medical sector. If they choose the medical sector, they must be rich in love." This doctor spoke from the heart and in tears at the meeting between Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and staff of the Ho Chi Minh City health sector two years ago.
But even if one is rich in love, one must at least have enough to live on. The "ethics" of a physician are already there, but a physician must have "reality" to be able to practice the ethics of a physician.
In reality, doctors' salaries are low, and their on-call allowances are incredibly low. For example, a 12-hour night shift for a doctor at a third-class hospital only earns more than 30,000 VND. After years of studying and working in a noble profession to save lives, how can one live on that amount of money for one night shift?
Doctors participating in surgeries and procedures receive allowances that, to be honest, hurt their professional pride. For an organ transplant, the main surgeon, anesthesiologist, or anesthetist receive 280,000 VND, while the assistant surgeons receive much lower allowances. Therefore, doctors who take on the task of working in the hospital, working at night, and treating patients do so because they follow work regulations, because of their responsibility and the heart of a good doctor, and the allowance they receive is very pitiful.
The question is, doctors' salaries are low, on-call allowances are also low, other allowances such as surgery participation are also low, so doctors and medical staff in public health facilities can hardly hold on for a long time. Most doctors have to work in hospitals outside, open clinics to earn more income, and live on the money they earn outside to keep their footing inside. It is also necessary to speak frankly that there are many cases of doctors from large hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City going to the provinces to "work extra". There are a few cases that have caused a stir in public opinion, but in fact, they just have to work extra to make a living, and at the same time contribute to the localities in treating diseases.
It's time to recalculate to increase allowances at public health facilities.
Doctors cannot be allowed to suffer disadvantages like this forever.
