Enhancing the role of inpatient treatment

Clause 2, Article 144 of the Government Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP detailing some provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment stipulates: For medical examination and treatment facilities organized as regional polyclinics that were granted operating licenses before the effective date of this decree, they may continue to provide inpatient treatment and must maintain 24/7 on-call service for specialized departments.

This regulation has alleviated people's concerns about having to stop inpatient treatment at regional polyclinics.

Lao Cai province currently has 18 regional polyclinics in 9 districts, towns, and cities, with 320 beds. Due to the high demand for medical examination and treatment from the people, most regional polyclinics are operating at full bed capacity.

The Bao Ha Regional Polyclinic, affiliated with Bao Yen District General Hospital, has operated effectively over the years, attracting a large number of patients for examination and treatment.

Dr. Pham Ngoc Cuong, Head of Bao Ha Regional Polyclinic, said: "When the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment was passed, stipulating that regional polyclinics would not provide inpatient treatment but only outpatient examination and treatment and organize inpatient beds for monitoring patients for no more than 72 hours, many people in the area were very concerned because it directly affected their rights. Instead of treating common illnesses at a clinic near their home, they would have to travel dozens of kilometers to the district hospital for treatment. Fortunately, at the beginning of 2024, the Ministry of Health decided to allow regional polyclinics to continue providing inpatient treatment according to the referral system, for 6-7 days in one treatment course."

We met Ms. Trieu Thi Quyt in Kim Quang village, Kim Son commune (Bao Yen district) while she was completing the procedures to pay her child's hospital fees after 7 days of treatment for bronchitis at the Bao Ha Regional Multi-Specialty Clinic. Ms. Quyt said: "My house is 10 km from the clinic and nearly 30 km from Bao Yen District General Hospital. Therefore, we only have to travel far when the illness is serious and the doctors at the clinic order a transfer to a higher-level hospital. Whenever a family member is sick, I always feel confident taking them to the Bao Ha Regional Multi-Specialty Clinic for examination and treatment."

The Bao Ha Regional Polyclinic is located in the central area between Bao Thang, Bao Yen, and Van Ban districts. The clinic serves the medical needs of residents in Bao Ha, Kim Son, and Cam Con communes in Bao Yen district; Tan An and Tan Thuong communes in Van Ban district; and Lang Thip and Chau Que Thuong communes in Van Yen district, Yen Bai province. The population density in this area is estimated at 30,000 people. On average, doctors examine, prescribe, and dispense medication to 50-60 patients per day. The actual number of beds is currently 33, although this is an increase of 8 beds compared to the planned allocation, but at many times, patients still have to share beds.

Currently, the Bao Ha Regional Polyclinic is equipped with several machines and equipment such as a 4D ultrasound machine, endoscope, and laboratory testing system; an X-ray machine will be added soon. Bao Yen District General Hospital has strengthened the clinic's staff to 13 medical personnel. This includes 4 doctors (1 specialist in internal medicine), 4 nurses, 2 midwives, 1 pharmacist, and 2 technicians.

In 2023, the total number of people visiting and receiving treatment at 18 regional polyclinics in the province was over 102,000 (an average of 20-40 patients per day), an increase of more than 10,000 compared to 2022. The total number of inpatients in 2023 was 19,279, an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to the previous year. The majority of patients had health insurance cards, and the main illnesses were chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and seasonal epidemics. The clinics also provided first aid and emergency care for cases of work accidents, traffic accidents, and drowning.

With a focus on investing in the regional polyclinic system, several construction and renovation projects have recently been implemented. These include the Tang Loong Polyclinic (Bao Thang district), which has been renovated and put into operation; the upgrading of the Lung Phinh Regional Polyclinic (Bac Ha district); the construction of a new Sin Cheng Regional Polyclinic (Si Ma Cai district); and the construction of a new treatment building for the Muong Bo Regional Polyclinic (Sa Pa).

To improve the quality of medical examination and treatment, the health sector continues to advise on, consolidate, and upgrade some regional polyclinics into hospitals under the district general hospitals; continue to supplement human resources, rotate and deploy medical personnel to provide regular support; and advise on investing in equipment and facilities for regional polyclinics.

In addition, the department will advise the province on mechanisms and policies to attract medical staff to work at regional polyclinics and develop technical services at these clinics; implement a synchronized information technology system in medical examination and treatment, strengthen the connection between grassroots healthcare and higher-level healthcare and the people in remote consultation, examination, and treatment...

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