In order to aim to reduce overload for the final line, and at the same time improve the quality of health care at the grassroots level, right from the beginning of 2026, commune and ward health stations in Ho Chi Minh City were simultaneously transferred to the local People's Committee for management according to the new model and quickly went into operation.
Not only performing the tasks of regular medical examination and treatment, health consultation and initial first aid, health stations also take on the role of community health management, caring for mothers, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and social protection beneficiaries.
At the Trung My Tay Ward Health Station, Mr. Tran Huu Duc (70 years old) said that for many years he has come here to get medicine and have regular check-ups for hypertension. “For chronic diseases such as blood pressure, I choose to have check-ups at the ward health station. There are doctors who monitor, provide medicine fully, and are close to home, without having to travel far or wait long like at upper-level hospitals,” Mr. Duc shared.
In parallel with strengthening grassroots healthcare, Ho Chi Minh City also expands large specialized facilities in suburban areas, creating conditions for people to access high-quality healthcare services right in the locality. Besides facilities 2 that have been operating for many years of Oncology Hospital, Mental Hospital, 2025 recorded the birth of new models such as Tu Du 2 Hospital and Gia Dinh People's Hospital 2.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, for many years, specialized hospitals in the central area have been overloaded, while some other areas have been invested in infrastructure and equipment but have not been effectively exploited. If the city continues to build new hospitals in the traditional way, it will face large costs and prolonged implementation time, making it difficult to meet the increasing medical examination and treatment needs of the people.
Therefore, gateway hospitals such as Thu Duc Regional General Hospital, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi are gradually becoming "extended arms" in terms of expertise of the upper level. These facilities are capable of receiving, screening, emergency care, resuscitation and treating most of the on-site medical examination and treatment needs, helping people no longer have to travel far but still enjoy high-quality medical services.
