The 5th session of the People's Council of Gia Lai province, term XII, 2021-2026 (taking place on December 8-9) passed a Resolution promulgating the Project to develop the health system of Gia Lai province until 2030; Resolution regulating support policies in medical examination and treatment for the poor and some people in difficult circumstances, to improve the quality of health care for people in the province.
Focus on upgrading medical infrastructure
According to the Gia Lai Provincial Health System Development Project to 2030, the medium-term public investment period of 2026-2030, the province plans to allocate about VND 7,040 billion out of a total demand of more than VND 10,308 billion, to upgrade the medical infrastructure.
The provincial health sector focuses on investing in 3 main directions. For provincial level and specialized hospitals, Gia Lai prioritizes completing infrastructure, gradually bringing large medical facilities to meet the standards of Grade I hospitals.
Specifically, Gia Lai Central General Hospital is oriented to develop according to regional functions; Gia Lai General Hospital, Bong Son Regional General Hospital, Eye Hospital and Children's Hospital are invested in meeting class I standards. It is expected that in 2026, the province will establish a Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital to specialize in health care for mothers and children.
Specialized hospitals and other regional hospitals are invested in meeting Grade II standards. The province plans to establish 3 regional general hospitals in An Khe, Ayun Pa and Duc Co, contributing to reducing the burden on the provincial level, shortening the distance to access health services for people.
The system of health centers and health stations at the commune level continues to be invested in according to the new standards; at the same time, the 115 Emergency Center was established to participate in the national out-of-hospital emergency network.
The province has implemented the development of a rehabilitation network at all provincial general hospitals and medical centers. Quy Nhon Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital is oriented to develop into a high-quality facility for rehabilitation in the Central - Central Highlands region.
Along with public investment, Gia Lai encourages the development of private healthcare, prioritizing clean land funds to attract hospital projects, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and long-term care services.
Regarding human resources, the provincial health sector aims to ensure that 100% of health stations have doctors working. The breakthrough solution is to rotate upper-level doctors to the commune level, striving to have about 1,000 doctors participating in the work at the facility each year; building a team of on-site mechanical doctors. By 2027, each health station strives to have at least 4-5 doctors and by 2030, ensure enough staff.
Reducing the burden of hospital fees for the poor
According to the Resolution, support policies for medical examination and treatment for the poor and some people in difficult circumstances, beneficiaries who are poor households; people residing in the province with serious diseases such as cancer, dialysis, heart surgery but cannot afford to pay hospital fees.
These are groups that are financially vulnerable when treating diseases, often facing the risk of hospital fees or treatment interruptions.
The Resolution stipulates support for meals for patients during inpatient treatment at public health facilities from regional health centers and above, at the rate of 60,000 VND/person/day.
Patients are also supported with travel expenses, including expenses from accommodation to medical facilities and vice versa; hospital transfers during inpatient treatment for emergency cases, deaths or serious illnesses who wish to be taken home but are not covered by health insurance.
In addition, the resolution allows support for the co-payment cost according to the provisions of health insurance: from 5 million VND or less is supported at 40%; from over 5 million VND to 10 million VND to support 50%; over 10 million VND to support 60%.
The total support level is not more than 10 million VND/patient/treatment period and each person is not more than 4 treatments/year.
According to the leader of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Health, the issuance of the resolution is extremely necessary, contributing to ensuring fairness, transparency and rights for the poor and people in difficult circumstances when examining and treating patients at public health facilities. This is a meaningful policy, helping to reduce the cost burden caused by diseases, contributing to the implementation of social security goals and poverty reduction in the province.
