Huy Dat's ambulance in Vinh Long - Photo: KHAC TAM
The article "Transferring a patient from Vinh Long to Cho Ray Hospital, ambulance charges 6 million VND, what does the transport company say?" published on Tuoi Tre Online on October 20th has attracted much discussion.
Accordingly, readers' opinions on the cost of transporting emergency patients from Vinh Long to Cho Ray Hospital are still divided.
Is a price of 6 million VND "not expensive," "acceptable"?
A reader named Hai believes that the fee, which includes transportation, ventilator, accompanying doctor and nurse, and the transfer to another hospital at night, is acceptable because it's 6 million VND.
Similarly, reader Nguyen Tuan Loc said he once hired a 7-seater car to travel from the intersection of Nguyen Van Linh and Le Van Luong (formerly District 7) and back in half a day, costing 2.5 million VND for the whole vehicle. So, for an ambulance, 6 million VND "is still acceptable".
"At 6 million VND, it's not expensive. The doctor's fee is at least 1.5 million, the nurse's 1 million, plus the cost of supporting equipment and medicine. Not to mention the monthly bid of 45 million VND," reader Doan Hoa further analyzed.
A reader with the email address pham****@gmail.com suggested: "There should be more volunteer ambulances to ease the suffering of patients, only charging for fuel, everything else being free. We hope philanthropists will join hands and contribute!"
Charging 2-2.5 million VND for ambulance services would be reasonable.
Contrary to the above opinion, reader Tvd commented: "Around 2-2.5 million VND for an ambulance, including all services, is reasonable." However, immediately below this comment, reader Nguyen Ngoc responded: "That price is only enough to hire a 7-seater taxi. You should take a taxi for convenience."
"A fee of 6 million VND for a 130km journey is very high compared to the normal rate (over 2 million VND). Even after a reduction of over 700,000 VND, this large difference makes patients feel resentful and they need the authorities to clarify the cost breakdown," reader Khanh An suggested.
According to Thai Hoa, Mr. T.'s question about why a receipt issued by an external service provider (Huy Dat Multi-Specialty Clinic Co., Ltd.) is displayed in the lobby of a public hospital is entirely justified. This needs to be clarified regarding the cooperative relationship and transparency in the provision of medical services.
Reader Thien An, representing Huy Dat, affirmed that the service fees are listed based on the price approval of the Vinh Long Provincial Department of Finance. "If that's true, the Department of Finance should widely publicize this price list so that people can easily look it up, compare it, and monitor it," reader Thien An suggested.
Agreeing with the above opinion, reader Ngoc Linh wrote: "Mr. T.'s feedback after reading about a similar case shows a general public outrage regarding the price of emergency transportation services. Health and financial authorities need to step in to standardize and control these prices."
"The problem of excessive fees charged at hospitals needs to be rectified. Patients are already suffering, their families are grieving, and then they face further exorbitant charges, which is incredibly hurtful," commented a reader named Mai.
Quoc pointed out: "There are cases where emergency services and transporting the deceased back to their hometowns are offered at discounted or free rates, but there are also those who profit greatly from the suffering of others. Authorities need a hotline for people to report this problem."
Mr. N.D.T. (69 years old, residing in Long Chau ward, Vinh Long province) complained that the 6 million VND fee charged by Huy Dat Multi-Specialty Clinic Co., Ltd. for transporting patients from Vinh Long to Cho Ray Hospital was excessively high.
A representative from Huy Dat Multi-Specialty Clinic Co., Ltd. explained that Mr. T.'s transfer to another hospital at night included fees for transportation, rental of a ventilator, cardiovascular monitor, suction machine, and other accompanying medical equipment for operating the machines; as well as fees for doctors and nurses.
According to the company's representative, before hiring the service, Huy Dat's staff provided very clear explanations and advice, and only proceeded with the service after the customer agreed. The service fees were publicly listed at the cashier's counter and also on the ambulance.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-vien-tu-vinh-long-len-cho-ray-xe-cap-cuu-thu-6-trieu-nguoi-che-mac-nguoi-noi-gia-vua-phai-20251021150916666.htm
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