Can Tho General Hospital lacks directors and leaders of 10 departments

Bệnh viện Đa khoa TP Cần Thơ - Ảnh: T. LŨY — Can Tho City General Hospital - Photo: T. Luy

According to the information, Can Tho City General Hospital has a total of 36 departments and functional units, and is a Grade 1 hospital under the Can Tho Department of Health .

Over the past period, there were still 10 departments and divisions that had not appointed heads of departments/divisions: the General Planning, Personnel and Organization, Administration and Management, Medical Supplies and Equipment; Line Management and Training, Social Work; and the Internal Medicine, Neurology - Musculoskeletal, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, and Nutrition departments.

The reason given for the lack of leadership positions in the departments is that the heads of these departments have resigned or retired in recent times, and reappointment has proven difficult.

According to a hospital leader, the reappointment of heads and deputy heads of departments is currently decided by the hospital's board of directors. However, due to various reasons, the appointment process is lengthy, the hospital lacks a director (currently the deputy director is in charge), the candidates nominated for the positions lack the necessary qualifications, and the confidence vote has not been successful…

Regarding the position of hospital director, the Can Tho City Department of Health stated that Mr. Tran Quoc Luan, director of Can Tho City General Hospital, recently requested leave for medical treatment, which was approved by the competent authority. The first leave was for 6 months (from June 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023), and the second was for 3 months (from December 1, 2023 to February 29, 2024).

During this period, Mr. Huynh Minh Phu, deputy director of Can Tho City General Hospital, was assigned to take charge of and manage the hospital. Because the hospital director's sick leave request was divided into two periods, the extension of this temporary position was also divided into 6-month and 3-month terms, handled by the City Party Committee's organizational department.

In the coming period, after the hospital director's sick leave expires, the head of the Department of Health stated that the reappointment of the hospital director will have to wait for the conclusion of the investigation by the Can Tho City Police Department regarding the case related to the procurement of COVID-19 testing kits by Viet A Company at Can Tho City General Hospital.

Regarding the shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and slow repair of damaged equipment, the hospital leadership stated that due to general difficulties in personnel management, the bidding process for purchasing medicines, chemicals, medical supplies, and equipment, as well as issues related to hiring services to support hospital operations (cleaning, security, canteen, etc.), has also encountered difficulties, leading to delays.

To address the delay in appointing heads of departments and functional units at the hospital, the Department of Health leadership stated that they have held meetings with the board of directors of Can Tho City General Hospital, requesting immediate corrective measures such as assigning hospital leaders to be responsible for each department and unit; quickly transferring and appointing heads of departments and units who meet the required standards; and expediting bidding procedures for machinery repair, procurement of medicines, chemicals, etc.

Ensure that the hospital's medical examination and treatment activities proceed normally, without affecting patients… If difficulties arise during implementation, report them to the management agency for support.

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