Unexpected change
In the context that many public health facilities in some provinces and cities are facing difficulties due to the decrease in the number of patients coming for examination and treatment, medical centers (TTYT) in Can Tho City are showing positive changes. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of patients coming to Cai Rang District Medical Center this year has increased by more than 20%. Of which, the number of inpatients is from 30 - 50 people/day; outpatients are about 500 people/day, on the first day of the week the number may exceed.
Coming to see a doctor and get medicine at Cai Rang District Health Center in early November 2024, Ms. Tran Thi Cac (born in 1963) said: "In the past, I had to buy an additional 70,000 - 100,000 VND for medicine, but now I have enough medicine, I am very happy."
At Cai Rang District Medical Center, inpatient treatment has also been expanded, with additional departments of surgery and oriental medicine instead of the previous internal medicine, pediatrics, and infectious diseases departments. Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong Ngan (Interdisciplinary Examination Department, Cai Rang District Medical Center) said that compared to 3 years ago when she came here to work, the income of doctors and nurses has improved, the workload is high, so everyone is happy.
"In addition to the available equipment, we expect to invest in more specialized equipment for screening and treatment such as CT and MRI machines... This will be a favorable condition for us to provide the best health care for patients," said Dr. Ngan.
More practical models
From the beginning of 2024, the Can Tho City Department of Health has identified the standardization of the Family Doctor (FSD) model at a number of health stations as a key task of the sector in developing grassroots health care.
For effective implementation, the department has surveyed and supported health stations in training human resources, upgrading and repairing facilities, and investing in equipment. On October 21, 3 Family Medicine Clinics at Thuong Thanh Ward Health Station (Cai Rang District), Thuan Hung Ward Health Station (Thot Not District), Thanh Tien Commune Health Station (Vinh Thanh District) were inaugurated. Each clinic is equipped with ultrasound machines, electrocardiogram machines, nebulizers, SpO2 meters, etc. Along with being licensed, the Family Medicine Clinic provides continuous and comprehensive management, care, emergency, and initial medical examination and treatment activities for people, and pays for medical examination and treatment costs covered by health insurance, etc.
Mr. Pham Van Nam (born in 1942, Thanh Thang area) took a motorbike taxi to come here for a medical examination. After waiting for about 10 minutes, the doctor called Mr. Nam in to ask about his medical condition in detail, took an electrocardiogram, and had an ultrasound, all of which were free of charge.
Traditional Medicine Doctor Nguyen Duc Hao (Faculty of Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation) believes that opening a family medicine clinic and having a traditional medicine section will be convenient for people to not have to travel far but still receive acupuncture and medical examination with many priorities.
"We propose that we need a team of specialized, skilled doctors with many years of experience in the field of family medicine, serving the people 24/7, every day of the week" - said Doctor Truong Thanh Hoi - Head of Thuong Thanh Ward Health Station.
Continue to propose and recommend
Currently, the grassroots health system in Can Tho City at the district level has 12 units (including 3 hospitals, 9 health centers) with a total of 990 beds. The commune, ward and town health system has 80 health stations; 100% of health stations meet the National Criteria for Commune Health. This will contribute to building and developing Can Tho City as a regional center in the health sector, especially specialized health care in the spirit of Resolution No. 59 dated August 5, 2020 of the Politburo.
Doctor Truong Ty - Director of Cai Rang District Medical Center - said that he will continue to propose that the Ministry of Health and Social Insurance have a payment policy for family medicine clinics because there is currently no payment code. This will be convenient for people, medical staff and support work, improve the quality of treatment at district medical centers. At that time, the center only needs to treat diseases that require hospitalization, avoiding overload.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Cuong - Director of Can Tho City Department of Health - informed: "The health sector hopes that the family doctor clinic will be the model closest to the people, closely connected with and managing people's health, creating the most favorable working environment for doctors and nurses working at the station. The Department also proposed a pilot mechanism such as socialization to deploy services to help increase revenue for the clinic, improve the quality of medical examination for people, and retain medical staff in the public system".
At the first grassroots health conference in 2024 held on October 23, Mr. Nguyen Thuc Hien - Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee - noted that the city's health sector needs to synchronously deploy the information technology system in grassroots health activities; promote digital transformation, strengthen the connection between grassroots health with upper-level health and people in medical consultation, examination and treatment; create all favorable conditions for people to access and use grassroots health services.
