Technology is the "backbone", nuclear hospital plays a leading role
According to Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan, the satellite hospital network will improve the capacity of lower levels, reduce overload at upper levels, help people receive timely medical examination and treatment right in their localities, and narrow the gap between regions.
A highlight of the project is the "directed referral" mechanism. Accordingly, patients after stabilizing treatment at upper-level hospitals will be transferred to lower-level hospitals to continue treatment.
The referral process is guided by specific protocols and supports online consultations, remote treatment with higher levels, helping to ensure treatment quality and reduce large hospitals. The goal by 2030 is to reduce the referral rate by at least 20%. For the project to be truly effective, information technology plays a key role. 100% of participating hospitals will deploy a remote professional support system (Telehealth), including online training and inter-level consultations, helping patients at the provincial level still receive advice from leading experts without having to travel.
Notably, the project also links the deployment of new techniques with the health insurance payment mechanism. This is to avoid the situation of "having technology but not daring to do it" due to lack of funding. Resources for implementation will come from the State budget, local authorities and other legal sources.
Remote treatment - proven effectiveness
A 61-year-old male patient was admitted to Ha Giang General Hospital (Tuyen Quang province) in a state of weakness in half of his body, headache and difficulty speaking. After examination and X-rays, doctors determined that the patient had cerebral infarction and a more than 85% stenosis of the carotid artery - a very dangerous condition, which could lead to severe stroke if not treated promptly. Thanks to remote consultation with experts at Bach Mai Hospital through the Telehealth system, doctors agreed on an artery stent placement plan. The intervention was successfully performed right in Ha Giang under remote guidance. After treatment, the patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital after a week.
Since 2023, Bach Mai Hospital and Tuyen Quang Hospital have comprehensively cooperated in training, technology transfer and Telehealth.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co - Director in charge of Bach Mai Hospital - said that the project to expand satellite hospitals helps connect the entire health system nationwide, helping to focus resources on treating severe and critical cases. Through this, we effectively transfer knowledge, skills and in-depth techniques to people in remote and isolated areas, as well as provide timely support to colleagues at lower levels. Telehealth in remote consultation, examination and treatment not only helps save time for people and doctors but also helps doctors to easily exchange, train, and improve their professional qualifications.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu (Hanoi Medical University Hospital) said that Telehealth helps patients access services quickly and safely, like a "third arm" to support doctors.
Thanks to that, the lower level can consult with the upper level, treat according to expert guidance without transferring hospitals, saving costs and time. Since 2020, Telehealth has connected thousands of medical facilities, contributing to saving patients' lives, reducing the burden on the upper level and supporting training.
The system also integrates electronic medical records, online prescriptions, QR payment, allowing remote examination and monitoring. However, Telehealth only supports, does not replace direct examination and still has limitations in terms of equipment, security, and legality.
Besides the benefits, there are still some difficulties such as lack of equipment in remote areas, data security issues, and it is necessary to have clear regulations to ensure the quality of remote medical examination and treatment" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu added.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu said that to make people trust grassroots healthcare, it is necessary to replicate specialized clinics in communes, helping to directly examine good doctors right in the locality, and at the same time promote Telehealth to improve the capacity of lower levels. He also proposed promoting digital transformation of healthcare, removing obstacles in medicines, equipment...
