Readers want to eliminate referral papers for serious illnesses

Referral papers for serious illnesses should be abolished, but how can we prevent upper-level hospitals from going bankrupt?

Many readers said that to solve the problem of referrals, it is necessary to improve the capacity of primary health care facilities - Photo: THU HIEN

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on the afternoon of October 24, discussing the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance, delegate Nguyen Tri Thuc - Deputy Minister of Health - said that many delegates and voters proposed to eliminate referral papers between levels of the medical examination and treatment facility system.

However, his personal opinion and that of many hospital directors is that if abolished, it should only be abolished at the initial, basic level (where health insurance is first registered, district level). From these two levels to the advanced level (central hospitals and large, leading hospitals of the locality) there should be a referral letter.

He believes that removing referral papers to specialized hospitals could destroy the primary health care system and disrupt upper-level hospitals.

Eliminate referral papers for serious illnesses

Readers have many opinions about removing this referral form.

Reader Truong Ngoc said: "I had liver cancer and had surgery and have been receiving treatment and follow-up examinations at a central hospital for more than seven years now. However, every year at the beginning of the year, I am forced to return to the district hospital to request a referral to comply with regulations. This is absurd."

According to reader Hung Cuu, the current capacity of the grassroots health system has not met the demand, and the treatment results are not very effective.

People have to suffer from health and money. Therefore, it is necessary to consider which disease, which condition, which conditions to allow referral.

Reader Le Van Tam pointed out the difficulties and hardships in applying for a referral letter. Therefore, he supports the abolition of referral letters for critically ill and sick patients.

To apply for a referral letter, you must be present at the hospital for examination to receive the letter. People with serious illnesses are tired and exhausted. If they can get rid of the referral letter, they will travel less and save money" - reader Tam shared.

According to reader Huy Long: “Cancer patients are very tired and exhausted from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Every time they go to ask for a referral, the patient must be present. Sitting down with a tired body is so miserable!”

Reader with phone number 0916******11 hopes to eliminate the referral procedure for seriously ill patients and those with serious illnesses when the local health facility does not have enough professional capacity and treatment equipment. This will help reduce cumbersome procedures, significantly saving costs and time for both patients and health facilities.

Reader Minh Khang suggested that there should be clear regulations on some rare and serious diseases that do not require referral papers. Then people will be able to come for examination early for timely treatment.

To keep the front line from breaking down

NAH readers said that the reason for wanting to transfer to another level is that people do not want to be examined and treated at a lower level.

“To put it bluntly, if people can't get better from treatment, then of course they have to go to a better doctor.

People in my area do not trust the district level medical treatment here. Instead of going straight to the higher level, they will not miss the golden time to have a chance to live," said reader H.

Reader Long said that not to mention the level of qualifications or facilities, the working attitude and procedures at grassroots health facilities do not meet the needs.

That is why people are afraid to ask to move. However, many times when they want to move, the procedures are too difficult, leading to unfortunate incidents.

Reader F. said that if you are afraid that the front line will collapse, you should invest in a back line that is as good and effective as the front line.

Reader Tran Thi Ca offers a solution: this referral form can be made digitally. The primary hospital creates the form and sends it to the upper-level hospital according to the communication between the two hospitals (including initial medical information).

The transferred patient only needs to leave the base hospital when receiving the referral code and present this code to the upper level hospital.

This prevents the front line from being overwhelmed and patients and their families from having to suffer. Hospital staff and managers are relieved of one administrative step of paperwork.

Reader Vu Thanh Phong said that if the grassroots level of medical examination and treatment is good, people would not have to go to higher levels because when going to higher levels, they have to pay extra for transportation, food and other expenses.

The solution that needs to be implemented is to strengthen the team of doctors and nurses at the district level, increase medical examination and treatment equipment, provide training to transfer new medical knowledge, and expand the list of health insurance drugs at the district level.

Reader Hoang Thanh Tung added that when people participate in health insurance, their common expectations are to receive good care, good and modern medical equipment, high level of doctor expertise... but these needs are all placed at the upper level.

“I recommend balancing more modern equipment, rotating (for a limited period) highly qualified doctors to provide professional guidance to lower levels...

"When the lower level fully meets the needs of the people, the referral paper has no meaning," reader Tung commented.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ban-doc-mong-muon-bo-giay-chuyen-tuyen-voi-benh-hiem-ngheo-20241025112844984.htm