04-Apr-16 The health sector of HCMC will carry out 89 projects worth VND21.6 tn (USD969 mn) between 2016 and 2020 to improve healthcare services. Projects planned include developing human resources, building hospitals at the city’s gateways and local clinics, and upgrading major hospitals into high-tech facilities. [image: Vietnam Breaking News]

28-Mar-16 According to a World Bank report, 36% of the world’s population aged 65+, or 211 million people, live in East Asia, the largest share among all regions. Vietnam was listed among countries with an aging population. The number of people over 65 in Vietnam is forecast to increase from 6.3 million to 18 million by 2040, 18% of its population. [image: Vietnam+]

22-Mar-16 Private hospitals are struggling to find patients, with most of them operating at 40-50% of their capacity, according to the Vietnam Private Hospital Association. Most incentive policies are intended for public hospitals, not for private hospitals, said Nguyễn Văn Đệ, chairman of the association. [image: VNA / VNS Photo Hữu Oai]

17-Mar-16 Medicine cost each Vietnamese USD37.9 on average in 2015, rising by 10% from the previous year and almost doubling the 2009 figure. Vietnam spends about USD3.4 bn on medication every year. [image: VNA]

02-Mar-16 Public health facilities in Ho Chi Minh City will be under pressure to improve quality of services as they no longer receive city funds for most regular expenditures. On 1-Mar-16 fees rose by 30-50% nationwide at all public hospitals, as scheduled by the Ministry of Health. The city's hospitals will now have to rely mostly on revenue from patients. [image: Duong Ngoc]