This directly affects the quality of medical examinations and treatment, as well as the availability of primary healthcare for the people. In response to this situation, Hanoi has issued new policies aimed at attracting and retaining medical personnel, which are expected to create a strong impetus for the development of the healthcare sector.
Workforce gaps
As the core unit responsible for pre-hospital emergency care in Hanoi, the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center plays a particularly important role in the healthcare system. However, for many years, the unit has faced difficulties in attracting and retaining personnel, especially high-quality personnel. This is due to the high workload, intense work schedule, wide operating area, and frequent emergency situations, while the compensation for medical staff here is not truly commensurate with their needs.
According to Tran Anh Thang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center, the income of officials and employees at the center mainly depends on their salary based on rank and grade, while pre-hospital emergency work requires 24/7 duty, is high-pressure, and carries many occupational risks. Therefore, there have been periods of several years in a row when the Center was almost unable to recruit new staff.
The shortage of medical personnel is not only a problem for Hanoi's 115 Emergency Center, but also for many other healthcare facilities. In Minh Chau commune – Hanoi's only island commune, where transportation is difficult and access to specialized medical services is limited – the pressure on medical staff is even more pronounced. Currently, the Minh Chau Commune Health Station has 14 staff members, but only one general practitioner; some personnel lack professional licenses and have to handle multiple tasks. In addition to the shortage of personnel, the station's medical equipment is also limited. Specialized equipment is either insufficient or outdated; some specialized equipment cannot be used effectively due to a lack of suitable personnel.
Many specific mechanisms are in place to attract and retain healthcare personnel.
The difficulties at the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center or the Minh Chau Commune Health Station demonstrate that human resources remain a major challenge for the health sector. Based on this reality, at its fourth session (special session), the 17th Hanoi City People's Council, term 2026-2023, officially passed a Resolution stipulating several policies for the development of the Hanoi city health system, including many specific mechanisms to attract and develop medical human resources. A highlight of the Resolution is the financial support policies aimed at strengthening human resources for grassroots health care, contributing to narrowing the gap in the quality of medical examination and treatment between different levels. Accordingly, in addition to the current central government regulations, Hanoi will provide additional monthly funding for doctors and medical staff assigned to work on rotational assignments continuously for one month or more at medical facilities. The support level is divided according to professional qualifications. Professors and associate professors will receive 20 million VND/month; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and specialist doctors (Level II) receive 17 million VND/month; resident doctors, masters, and specialist doctors (Level I) receive 12 million VND/month; doctors receive 10 million VND/month; nurses, midwives, and medical technicians with a bachelor's degree receive 8 million VND/month, and those with a college degree receive 6 million VND/month.
Notably, Hanoi prioritizes the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center and the system of commune and ward health stations. According to the Resolution, doctors newly recruited as civil servants at the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center or health stations will receive a one-time support payment after recruitment. Specifically, those with a Master's degree, resident doctor, or specialist doctor (level I or higher) in the medical field will receive support equivalent to 100 times the minimum wage in Region I each; doctors will receive support equivalent to 50 times the minimum wage in Region I. In addition, civil servants and contract workers on the payroll of the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center will also receive a special professional support allowance of 5 million VND per month.
According to Tran Anh Thang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center, the newly issued special policies are not only for the Hanoi 115 Emergency Center or commune/ward health stations, but also aim to attract high-quality human resources for the entire Hanoi health sector, especially for units facing recruitment difficulties. This is an important solution to attract and retain medical personnel. Besides initial support, supplementing income support mechanisms during employment will contribute to improving living standards and creating conditions for medical staff to feel secure and committed to the profession in the long term.
Given that primary healthcare is identified as the foundation of the healthcare system, Hanoi's issuance of a special mechanism not only contributes to solving the immediate shortage of medical personnel but also creates momentum for improving the quality of healthcare services right from the frontline. Through this, citizens will directly benefit from the achievements of the capital's healthcare development policies.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dong-luc-moi-de-y-te-co-so-phat-trien-1209652.html
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