Speaking to Lao Dong reporter, Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Quoc Cuong - Director of Can Tho Department of Health - said that after the direction of the Prime Minister, Can Tho City has quickly carried out procedures to deploy the purchase of 02 radiotherapists for Can Tho City Oncology Hospital as soon as possible.
Accordingly, Can Tho City ordered 01 radiotherapy machine using public investment, is urgently carrying out bidding procedures and is expected to install the machine in the first quarter of 2026. The Prime Minister assigned PVN Group to donate the remaining 01 radiotherapy machine to Can Tho.
It is known that at the radiotherapy department, Can Tho City Oncology Hospital ( facility 1 located on Chau Van Liem Street) is only equipped with 01 outdated Cobalt 60 radiotherapy machine (used for 15 years), which must operate 24/7 to serve patients.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong - Head of the radiotherapy Department - informed that there are patients who have to wait 3 - 4 months to get radiotherapy and this condition has lasted for about 5 years. This puts great pressure on medical staff and directly affects the treatment of patients.
The hospital's radiotherapy department currently has a scale of 85 beds. Statistics show that the number of radiotherapy patients here has increased sharply over the years: in 2021 it was 16,371, in 2022 it was 26,182, in 2023 it was 20,822.
Doctor Phong was very excited to hear that the Prime Minister was interested in and proposed to buy radiotherapy machines for the Hospital: "This is not only the desire of oncology patients in the Mekong Delta region but also of the entire team of doctors and medical staff".
Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoang (from Vinh Long) said: "We have witnessed many women in pain because the radiotherapy machines at the hospital are not enough to meet the needs. My patients and I are very happy if the leaders of Can Tho City and the State pay attention to purchasing the machine and installing it soon".
According to Ms. Kim Hoang, this attention not only shows the care for patients currently hospitalized here, but also for thousands of patients later, especially in the context of increasing oncology.
Dr. Vo Van Kha - Director of Can Tho City Oncology Hospital - said: "With positive signals, we are ready for all work to coordinate with relevant units to carry out the next steps. At the same time, during this period, the Board of Directors and the medical team will accompany and continue to encourage patients being treated at the Department as well as the Hospital.
Previously, on November 8, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the regular Government meeting in October 2025 online with localities. For Can Tho City, the Prime Minister requested to urgently purchase 2 radiotherapy machines to serve patients at Can Tho City Oncology Hospital.
This is being implemented slowly even though the Prime Minister has inspected, directly directed and issued a number of documents, and problems have been resolved, including in terms of capital sources, while this is a very urgent issue, directly affecting the health and lives of patients.
It is known that regarding the restart of the Can Tho City Oncology Hospital Construction Investment Project with a scale of 500 beds, the city has prepared; as planned, it will be submitted at the City People's Council meeting to adjust the project investment policy.
