Hospital costs to rise in Vietnam
07-Jun-16, Vietnam Economic Times
From August to January 2017 there will be five increases to hospital charges, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Planning and Finance has announced.
%20Duc%20Anh.jpg "Hospital costs to rise in Vietnam (c) Duc Anh")
Image: Duc Anh
Plans to increase hospital charges, including salary increases, means hospitals must not have charges that are higher than currently stipulated. Hospitals are not to collect extra money from patients, except for the gap not covered by health insurance.
Hospitals must also spend at least 5 per cent of their revenue on improving medical services. Charges must be based on market demand, not on revenue targets.
Many hospitals have received major investment and resemble hotels. However, there are still hospitals with poor services. The ministry is determined to reform the attitude and behavior of staff at hospitals.