LookAtVietnam – The HCMC government has approved a scheme to modernize hospitals in inner-city areas to better serve people’s demands.

Huynh Van Biet, deputy director of the city’s Department of Health, told a meeting with hospital directors on Wednesday that the municipal government had approved the scheme to upgrade and modernize hospitals in the city.

“Although a written decision has not been issued, this approval will facilitate hospitals in their capital construction projects,” he said.

However, most hospitals in the city have been slow in preparing projects for upgrade or modernization.

An official of the city’s Department of Finance told the meeting that the State budget for hospitals this year amounts to some VND1.2 trillion, or around US$65 million, but the disbursement rate remains low, at about 50% to date.

Under regulations by the central Government, projects owners – in this case management of hospitals – are mandated to prepare projects, give cost estimates, call tenders or bids, and supervise progress of construction. However, Biet said, most hospital directors are embarrassed over the regulations, resulting in failure or slowness in submitting projects to ask for capital.

The Health Department therefore will coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment to set up consulting teams for hospitals to prepare projects.

VietNamNet/SGT