Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam will upgrade six hospitals tointernational standards, aiming to curb the trend of Vietnamese people seekingmedical care overseas, and at the same time, attracting foreign patients toVietnam.

In a visionary move outlined in the healthcare network plan in the 2021-30period, recently endorsed by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vietnamenvisions six hospitals in Hanoi, HCM City and Thua Thien-Hue attaining globalrecognition for their advanced medical facilities.

Under this strategic plan, Hanoi will have three state hospitals, two in HCMCity and one for Thua Thien-Hue.

Earlier,the Ministry of Health (MoH) recommended the modernisation of five specialisedhospitals to meet international starndard, rivalling leading healthcare systemsin the region and beyond.

Theseinclude Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital, Military Hospital 108, Cho RayHospital, and Hue Central Hospital.

Consequently, HCM City will have one more upgraded medical institution.

These upgraded hospitals will be equipped with advanced technologies and offerworld-class medical services to both domestic and international patients.

The plan sets targets for healthcare accessibility, aiming for 33 hospitalbeds, 15 doctors, 3.4 pharmacists and 25 nurses per 10,000 people by 2025.

By 2030, these figures are expected to rise to 35 hospital beds, 19doctors, four pharmacists and 33 nurses per 10,000 people.

Looking ahead to 2050, the vision is for Vietnam’s health care sector toestablish several modern facilities on par with international standards, aimingfor 45 hospital beds, 35 doctors, 4.5 pharmacists, and 90 nurses per 10,000people.

Furthermore, the plan entails expanding the scale of private healthcarefacilities, with private beds projected to constitute at least 10% of the totalby 2025, 15% by 2030, and 25% by 2050.

Accordingto MoH’s data, as of 2023, there were 12.5 doctors and 32 hospital beds per10,000 people. While this places Vietnam on par with India and ahead ofIndonesia, the nation aims to further align with global standards.

Vietnam witnessesapproximately 13,000 doctors graduating every year across the country. This isthe basis for Vietnam toachieve the goal of having 15 doctors per 10,000 people by 2025.

Toachieve these goals, the MoH pledges to prioritise the recruitment andretention of qualified healthcare professionals, enhance remuneration policies,and implement pricing regulations to ensure sustainable healthcare financing.Additionally, healthcare facilities will be restructured based on populationneeds rather than administrative boundaries, fostering more equitable access tomedical services nationwide./.