Long-term consequences of the abandoned trillion-dollar oncology hospital project

Disadvantaged patients

Can Tho City Oncology Hospital has been burdened with the pressure of shortage and outdated facilities for many years. The consequences are that patients accept to travel far, followed by disappointment because they cannot be treated effectively due to degraded facilities and equipment, and finally loss of trust in the hospital's reputation.

Patient V.V.L (Vinh Long province) has a tumor in his cervical vertebrae: "The doctor is very enthusiastic, I have finished surgery, and I come to visit and give warm encouragement every day. But we cant sympathize forever knowing that we can be treated in a place with better facilities.

According to Specialist Doctor 2 Tran Minh Khoi - Head of the General Surgery Department - many people have expressed disappointment at having to take care of and treat their diseases in places of suffocation.

Cancer patients cannot last forever. Patients should have a place to rest, a quiet, cool place and everyone would have wanted that at the end of their life, Dr. Khoe said sadly.

Doctor tries to shy

As for medical staff, the psychology is not more comfortable and the case of technician Nguyen Van Hoa - Department of radiotherapy - is a typical example. Previously, when the radiotherapy machine was still operating, Mr. Hoa had to try to work at full capacity every shift. Excessive awkwardness has affected his biological health, not to mention that he has little time for his family.

Now, when the hospital temporarily suspends radiotherapy, Mr. Hoa is forced to take another position.

Engineers and technicians do not have jobs, the hospital has to arrange other things that are not professional, the spirit of the brothers is also declining, said Specialist Doctor 2 Tran Thanh Phong - Head of the Department of radiotherapy.

Dr. Vo Van Kha - Director of Can Tho City Oncology Hospital - informed:

Most of the medical team is mentally strong, but many staff are also saddened. While currently, non-public hospitals are investing in new facilities and equipment, it is not excluded that in the near future, some staff can go to work elsewhere, Dr. Kha predicted.

Faced with the possibility of a possible "bad scenario", the hospital's Board of Directors and key staff are recommending that superiors soon invest in accelerator radiotherapy machines, as well as mobilize resources to invest in machinery, equipment, and repair facilities in other departments and rooms. Can Tho City Oncology Hospital even considered proposing to the city to request additional facilities 3 and 4 to expand the space.

However, all efforts are still temporary and limited. The most important issue is the need to restart the new hospital that has been unfinished for many years, said Mr. Kha.

Newly abandoned project

In fact, the situation of patient overload at Can Tho City Oncology Hospital has occurred nearly ten years ago. That is the reason why in 2017, the People's Committee of Can Tho City approved the investment project to build a new Can Tho City Oncology Hospital (scale of 500 beds) with an area of 17,000 m2, a total capital of more than 1,700 billion VND from ODA loans from the Hungarian Government and counterpart funds from the city.

Investing in building a new hospital is not only the desire of the government and the health sector, but also the aspiration of the people of the Mekong Delta.

However, due to the loan contract expiring, to date, the project has only completed more than 21% of the contract value of the general contractor for design, equipment supply, technology and construction. Of which, the construction item has reached 82%, the construction equipment supply and installation item has only completed more than 16%.

Since the construction was stopped, the hospital's inside has been almost deserted, with materials left in chaos and rusty equipment. The hospital space was damp, with moss and mold on the walls, and many areas were flooded.

Up to this point, the hospital building looks like a large construction site in the heart of the city.

Mr. Pham Quang Dung - Executive officer (Construction Management Board of Can Tho City Oncology Hospital project, contractor of Bach Dang Construction Corporation) said that all machinery and equipment gathered at the construction site from scaffolding, trunks, steel, ... have all degraded.

"If we do it again, it will take a lot of effort and money to maintain and repair equipment. We really hope that relevant authorities will resolutely resolve the issue. If we can restart from 2025, we are committed to completing the project in 2027", Mr. Dung shared.