PM asks health sector to address medical supply shortages
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 24 requested that the health sector work to completely tackle the shortage of drugs, equipment, supplies, and biological products – a thorny issue that has hampered the normal operation of hospitals for years.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain, causing a shortage of drugs and medical supplies in Vietnam. Localities pooled all resources to combat COVID-19 while the supply of drugs and equipment remained limited.
With the pandemic brought under control, hospitals have seen a sharp increase in the number of patients in need of medical examinations and treatment, thereby leading to an insufficient supply of drugs and equipment.
Furthermore, the bidding mechanism is not transparent, a factor which makes it difficult for medical facilities to participate in procurement projects.
The lack of drugs and medical supplies has therefore greatly impacted the overall quality of medical examination and treatment, that should be addressed completely to ensure hospitals operate normally and patients can gain access to adequate medical examinations, said the PM while chairing a working session with the Ministry of Health on February 24.
He assigned the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health to urgently amend two government decrees towards simplifying administrative procedures in order to solve problems related to the approval of procurement decisions, contractor selection plans, and the establishment of the entire people’s ownership of equipment.
The PM asked the Ministry of Health to accelerate the disbursement of public investment capital in the health sector and completely solve backlog projects at major hospitals such as the Vietnam – Germany Friendship Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, and National Geriatric Hospital 2.
It’s imperative to promote socialisation and investment based on the public - private partnership model in the spirit of benefit harmonisation and risk sharing between the State, hospitals, and people, stressed the PM.
The Government leader also reminded the health sector to work towards preventing group interests, corruption, negativity, and waste in project bidding and implementation.
The health sector should always place people’s health and life first by considering and taking care of patients as their relatives, said the PM.
He went on to congratulate doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers ahead of Vietnamese Doctors’ Day on February 27 and expected them to master professional skills and modern technologies to support medical examination and treatment of patients.