The medical sector is different from other sectors in terms of training, Trieu said.

Interns, in fact, have to meet higher requirements, including having high entrance scores and must undergo longer training periods – around six years compared to four years in other disciplines, he noted.

Resident physicians are also required to maintain consistently good performances during their six years of study, and stay at the hospital for three years following their graduation.

“However, study conditions and treatment policies offered to the students are inadequate,” Trieu conceded.

The ministry’s representatives promised they will consider the doctors’ wishes and give them support so that they can study and work without worry.

Another significant departure from established policy announced by the ministry is the removal of a prohibition on female doctors’ having a baby during their residency.

“It [the prohibition] is now in the past,” said Truong Viet Dung, head of the ministry’s Education and Sciences Department. “I confirm the prohibition is ended from now on.

“It is unfair,” Dung said, adding that it is a pity that many have been expelled for not following the rule.

Trieu, meanwhile, said, “While we encourage the young people to make contributions to the country, we can’t forbid them from love!”

Residents’ wish list

While students from other disciplines can start working when they are 24 to 25 years old to support their families, resident physicians have to rely on their parents’ support at the same age, said resident Dang Truong Thai from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

“It is hard for us to live away from home,” Thai said.

At the hospital, a meal now costs VND15,000 (US$0.88), up from VND8,000 ($0.47) a couple of years ago, but it is still not enough in terms of quality and quantity, according to Thai.

So, it costs their families at least VND1.5 million ($87.83) to support them with meals, not to mention other expenses, the residents said.

“And not all families can afford the amount always,” said resident Vu Hai Hau from the Hanoi Medical University.

The situation becomes tougher when they are not allowed to work part-time to earn some income, because the regulations require them to be at the hospital twenty-four seven, Hau said.

Hau suggested establishing a fund or supporting residents to take loans from banks to meet their daily expenses during residency.

Since they have to stay at the hospital all the time, their two biggest wishes are to have a drawer to keep their personal things and a small bed so that they can take a rest when needed, Thai said.

Huynh Thi Le from Hue city University of Medicine and Pharmacy said there are nights she has to sleep on chairs.

The residents also complained about the insufficiency of teachers for some practical subjects as well as the lack of necessary infrastructure and facilities.

Nguyen Phuc Hoan, who majored in tissue and embryo studies at the Hanoi Medical University, said the field was the backbone of medicine but the students had to use old equipment and did not have other materials like chemicals required for their studies.

Last Sunday’s meeting was attended by nearly 200 junior resident physicians from medical schools nationwide.

In Vietnam, the three-year residency required of doctors aims to provide training and experience in specialized medicine.

Reported by Nam Son