Director of the Da Nang Department of Health - Ms. Tran Thanh Thuy - said that the main reason is that the legal documents on bidding for drugs and medical supplies are not yet synchronized and timely. Many new adjustments in the documents lead to different understandings and applications. As a result, only 70-80% of the list of drugs invited for bidding can find contractors, causing a shortage.
In addition, the Department of Health's human resources are limited in terms of expertise and experience in bidding, making officials hesitant and afraid of making mistakes. People are upset because they have to buy medicine from outside even though they are covered by health insurance.
The Da Nang Department of Health said it has completed the contractor selection plan for 2,860 active pharmaceutical ingredients and 12 technical groups, with a total estimated value of VND3,212 billion. Medical facilities are urgently purchasing additional drugs.
The Department has also reported to the City People's Committee to request decentralization of authority for drug procurement and the establishment of a bidding support team as requested by the Ministry of Health. Eligible bidding packages will be separated to speed up the progress.
Chairman of the People's Council of Da Nang City - Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang - admitted that the health sector is under great pressure in purchasing medicine and supplies. Large volumes can easily lead to negativity and violations. People often complain about the lack of medicine, having to buy it outside according to a doctor's prescription, even when they are examined at the right place.
With the current process, the winning bid will not be available until July 2025. Mr. Thang is concerned about ensuring enough medicine for patients during the waiting period, especially for serious illnesses that are not allowed to be examined and treated in the right hospital.
Mr. Thang requested the Department of Health to make efforts to ensure medicines and medical supplies for medical examination and treatment, especially for emergency treatment of incurable diseases, and at the same time requested specific instructions on payment of hospital fees in case of medicine shortage due to objective reasons. People's concerns need to be satisfactorily resolved.
