Private hospitals struggle to stay open

Many private hospitals in HCM City are on the verge of shutting down as most average patients prefer cheaper prices at public hospitals.

Diep Van Phat, chairman of the International Phuc An Khang Hospital (Ipak), ordered employees to stop receiving patients as the hospital will shut down on April 28. Ipak Hospital was converted into a modern hospital from five blocks apartment buildings with an investment of VND2.5trn (USD109m). It was hoped that Ipak could reduce the overload at several hospitals in District 2, District 9 and Thu Duc District and some patients from Dong Nai Province. However, hundreds of doctors and nurses haven't received their wages for February and March as the hospital lacks patients.

Two firms have been invited to invest in Ipak but nothing has progressed. The hospital has incurred VND60bn (USD2.6m) in debt. About 4,000 patients who have just registered their health insurance here will be transferred to other hospitals and 50% of the employees have no idea where to go to after the hospital is closed.
 

The 72-story Phu Tho Hospital in Tan Phu District was closed several years ago after being put into operation for only six years. Debts to the employees and shareholders haven't been settled. The hospital is being offered at VND390bn (USD17m) but hasn't attracted any buyer. No one believes the hospital can thrive and the price is deemed too high for a regular real estate investment.

City International Hospital in Binh Tan District is also struggling. It was opened in 2014 with an investment of USD80m. But now they have to cover USD1m in losses every month. Tran Thi Lam, chairman of Hoa Lam Corporation, the hospital's investor, hopes that the city authorities and the Ministry of Health will support them with more access to funds and co-operation with public hospitals.

Many private hospitals in Vietnam don't participate in primary health care activities so patients can't use their health insurance there and eventually are put off by private hospitals. Meanwhile, the people with health insurance in public hospitals are complaining about the treatment difference.

Experts have also complained about private companies being hired to supply equipment in many public hospitals and can earn huge commission fees. Some tests, operations and health check-ups in public hospitals actually have higher fees than in private hospitals. It's clear that with better equipment, the patients will be first to enjoy the benefits but it's also creating a disparity as patients who don't use health insurance are offered better customer services.

61-year-old Nguyen Van Tuan said he felt self-pity sometimes. "I wait from morning until noon to have my name called and the health check-up is sloppy. People with money are guided by the hospital employees to the designated rooms and taken care of. The process is much quicker too," he said.

Dr Le Van Toan who retired from a local public hospital to opened a private clinic said it's like there was a "private hospital" inside the public hospital where patients were treated like gods. But everywhere else is overcrowded and patients sleep or eat out in the hallways.

by dtinews