Can Tho retains patients and medical staff at public facilities

Building trust in difficult times

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, the Cai Rang District Health Center in particular and other localities of Can Tho City in general have positive changes. The increasing trend of patients contributes to increasing the prestige of grassroots health care, creating trust for patients, basically ensuring the requirement of financial autonomy.

Talking to Lao Dong, Dr. Truong Ty - Director of Cai Rang District Medical Center said that compared to the same period in 2023, the number of patients this year has shown encouraging signs when it increased by more than 20%. Previously, inpatients were from 10 - 15 people/day, now it has increased to 30 - 50 people/day. Outpatients were from 300 - 400 people/day, now it has increased to about 500 people, on the first day of the week the number of patients may exceed.

"To improve the quality of primary health care while reducing pressure on the upper level, we try to find solutions to increase patient attraction index, which is also a way to increase income for employees to retain them to serve the State, contributing to the work of caring for and protecting people's health" - Mr. Ty said.

Accordingly, at Cai Rang District Medical Center, inpatient treatment has been expanded, with additional departments of surgery and oriental medicine instead of the previous internal medicine, pediatrics and infectious diseases departments. In particular, having 1 family doctor clinic at the center and 1 in Thuong Thanh ward helps detect diseases continuously and effectively, coordinate and transfer patients to the center in a timely manner for care and early treatment of dangerous diseases.

Coming to see a doctor and get medicine at Cai Rang District Health Center on the afternoon of October 28, Ms. Tran Thi Cac (born in 1963) said that before, when she came to see a doctor, there were few people, but now with the investment, everyone is excited. "Before, I had to buy an additional 70,000 - 100,000 VND for medicine, but now I have enough medicine, I am very happy," Ms. Cac said.

On the morning of October 28, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien (born in 1954) also went to the Family Doctor Clinic for a health check. Thanks to her health insurance card, she received an ultrasound, examination, consultation and free medicine. "I saw that the new clinic was close to my house so I stopped by to check it out. I was glad that everything was free because going outside would cost 200,000 VND," Ms. Hien said with a smile.

Retaining healthcare workers

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.

"Many private medical facilities have opened with high salaries, sometimes I feel sad when my income is not as expected. However, basically I want to serve patients, especially low-income workers. Realizing the gradual change of public facilities makes me want to stay here. Currently, the machines for medical examination and treatment are basically stable, but I also want to invest in more specialized equipment to screen and treat patients such as CT, MRI machines, etc.," Dr. Ngan shared.

Specialist Doctor I Truong Thanh Hoi - Head of Thuong Thanh Ward Health Station acknowledged that since the clinic was deployed and fully equipped with facilities, the number of people coming here for medical examination has also improved.

"In the past, we only examined about 20 patients/week, now we have received and examined over 40 patients. The coordination with the Health Center is going more smoothly. Moving towards state-owned medical facilities having a policy of autonomy in funding for medical examination and treatment, I think the family doctor clinic model will contribute to promoting efficiency. This will be a method to attract and retain medical staff resources of public health" - Mr. Hoi added.