Continue investing in infrastructure and human resources for primary healthcare.

A study in Vietnam showed that approximately 30% of inpatient hospitalizations are entirely preventable if primary healthcare is improved.

Notably, for the 10 disease groups with the highest hospitalization rates, such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and diabetes, effective control at the primary healthcare level could reduce hospitalizations by up to 80%. These figures clearly demonstrate the irreplaceable role of the primary healthcare network in the national healthcare system.

Hanoi has resolutely implemented many systemic solutions to strengthen and improve the quality of grassroots healthcare services.

However, in reality, there is still a segment of the population that does not fully trust primary healthcare. They are willing to pay more to receive treatment at higher-level facilities or private clinics, even though they could receive primary care locally.

According to Mr. Tran Van Chung, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Health, one of the main reasons is the shortage of medical personnel, especially doctors at commune and ward health stations. Even the multi-specialty clinics of some medical centers are facing difficulties in ensuring sufficient professional staff.

In addition, investment in medical infrastructure and equipment in many localities has been slower than planned; some districts and counties have not ensured the progress of construction, renovation, and repair of health stations according to national criteria, leading to the impact on the implementation of health programs.

In response to these realities, Hanoi has resolutely implemented many systemic solutions to strengthen and improve the quality of grassroots healthcare services.

In particular, since the two-tiered government system came into operation on July 1, 2025, the Hanoi Department of Health has promptly issued Decision No. 1192/QD-SYT on the establishment of 4 specialized working groups to directly support 126 commune and ward health stations throughout the city.

Simultaneously, on July 7, 2025, Official Letter No. 3442/SYT-NVY was issued to provide specific guidance on submitting applications for the issuance and adjustment of licenses for medical examination and treatment activities for health stations.

Many health centers are also actively implementing the family doctor model, applying technology in managing electronic health records, organizing screening for non-communicable diseases, and conducting health education and communication activities. These activities not only help reduce the burden on higher-level facilities but also raise public awareness of disease prevention.

Primary healthcare can only be strong when its healthcare staff are sufficiently qualified and well-trained. Recognizing this, the Hanoi Department of Health has organized numerous professional development courses to update the knowledge of preventive medicine, reproductive health care, non-communicable disease prevention, and epidemic control for healthcare workers at the commune and ward levels.

In reality, many positive changes have also been observed at the grassroots level. According to Mr. Nguyen Khac Thuy, head of the Long Bien Ward Health Station, after one month of officially operating the two-tiered government model, health program activities in the area have been implemented consistently and are gradually adapting to the new situation.

A major advantage is that the ward's health station always receives attention from the ward's Party Committee and People's Committee; proposals for renovating and upgrading facilities are reviewed, responded to, and planned for implementation in the near future.

Not content with immediate results, Hanoi is persistently implementing long-term strategic plans. In accordance with Decision No. 281/QD-TTg dated April 5, 2024, of the Prime Minister and Directive No. 25-CT/TW dated October 25, 2023, of the Party Central Committee on improving the quality of grassroots healthcare, the Hanoi People's Committee has issued Plan No. 239/KH-UBND.

The goal by 2030 is that each commune, ward, and town health station will have at least one full-time doctor; each village will have one professionally trained health worker; 100% of communes will meet national health criteria; over 95% of the population will participate in health insurance; and over 95% of people using primary care services at grassroots health facilities will have their costs covered by health insurance.

Furthermore, the entire population will have their health managed, with high-risk individuals receiving at least one check-up per year, aiming for universal health check-ups. These goals clearly demonstrate the shift from "treating diseases" to "proactive and comprehensive healthcare."

Hanoi City has also approved the Project to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment at public health facilities under the Hanoi City People's Committee until 2030.

Accordingly, Hanoi will develop a tiered hospital system with specialized hospitals, forming four regional hospitals: Hanoi Heart Hospital, Hanoi Oncology Hospital, Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, and Xanh Pôn General Hospital. Simultaneously, it will develop first- and second-class hospitals, as well as a system of health stations and multi-specialty clinics to provide primary healthcare, ensuring quality service and reducing the burden on higher-level hospitals.

During the period 2021-2025, Hanoi allocated city budget funds for 198 primary healthcare projects, including 9 medical centers, 11 polyclinics, and 178 health stations. As of the second quarter of 2024, 106 projects had been completed, 63 projects were underway, and an additional 54 projects were funded by district-level budgets.

However, infrastructure investment alone is insufficient without a qualified workforce. This is a key criterion that determines the success of primary healthcare.

Therefore, the Hanoi Department of Health is actively proposing policies to recruit, attract, and support healthcare workers to work on the front lines.

Nationwide, according to Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, retaining doctors for the long term at public health facilities is difficult, but keeping them at facilities in remote, disadvantaged areas is even more challenging. Therefore, when Resolution 72 was issued, emphasizing the implementation of special preferential policies for the medical profession, everyone was very happy.

Specifically, Resolution 72 of the Politburo states that doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and pharmacists will be assigned salaries starting from bậc 2 (level 2) of the professional title for which they were recruited.

Increase the professional incentive allowance to a minimum of 70% for those regularly and directly engaged in medical work at commune health stations and preventive health facilities; and to 100% for those regularly and directly engaged in medical work at commune health stations and preventive health facilities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, areas with difficult or extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, border areas, islands, and in the fields of psychiatry, forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, resuscitation, pathology, and some other specific groups.

Resolution 72 also sets the goal of comprehensively reforming the style, spirit, and attitude of healthcare staff in serving the people and patients.

Doctors and medical staff must strive to have a deep understanding of medical theory, excellent medical skills, strong medical ethics, and dedication to their profession, thus earning the trust and respect of society.

In addition, it will improve the working environment, ensure safety, and reduce pressure on healthcare workers. Priority will be given to attracting foreign investment and high-quality intellectuals and experts in the healthcare sector from abroad to invest and work in Vietnam; sending talented students and healthcare professionals for advanced training in countries with strong expertise, with funding provided through scholarship programs.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/tiep-tuc-dau-tu-ha-tang-nhan-luc-cho-y-te-co-so-d391161.html