Building a socialist model associated with socialist people in Hai Phong: What has been seen - Part 2: Building a modern healthcare system

In the process of 'Building a socialist model associated with socialist people in Hai Phong city', the city always pays special attention to ensuring social security, especially in the field of healthcare, care and protection of people's health.

The city of Hai Phong is a leading locality in enacting many practical policies to better care for the lives of its people. In the photo: Comrade Le Van Hieu, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People's Council of Hai Phong, along with other leaders and delegates of the City People's Council, surveying several businesses and schools (archival photo).

Modern healthcare system

In the overall process of building a socialist model in Hai Phong, a modern, humane, and people-centered healthcare system is considered a fundamental pillar, most clearly demonstrating the essence of the "socialism linked to socialist people" model. Healthcare development not only aims at health care but also serves as vivid evidence of the harmonious combination of economic growth and human development that Hai Phong is creating.

Doctors and medical staff at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital performed a kidney transplant on a patient.

Looking back over the past period, the city's healthcare development indicators have all increased year after year and are higher than the national average. Hai Phong currently has 19 city-level hospitals, 27 regional medical centers, 375 commune, ward, and special zone health stations, 7 hospitals under ministries and sectors, and 13 private hospitals.

The city is also one of eight localities selected by the Ministry of Health to pilot the family doctor clinic model. The doctor-to-population ratio increased from 13.46 in 2020 to 16 in 2025, 1.6 times higher than the national average; the number of hospital beds per 10,000 people reached 45, 1.42 times higher than the national average. Primary healthcare and disease prevention and control have been implemented effectively.

More and more foreigners, from those living and working in Vietnam to patients choosing medical tourism, have placed their trust in Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital thanks to its high professional quality, dedicated medical staff, and modern, internationally standardized equipment. Photo: DO HIEN

The healthcare sector in Hai Phong currently has a widespread network from the city to communes, wards, and special zones, with many large hospitals such as Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital, Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hai Phong Children's Hospital, Hai Duong General Hospital, Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital… along with central-level hospitals in the area such as the Maritime Medical Hospital, Hospital 108 - Branch 2, and Military Hospital 7.

The private healthcare system has also developed strongly, contributing to expanding access to services and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment. Hospitals such as Hai Phong International General Hospital, Hai Phong - Vinh Bao International General Hospital, Vinmec Hospital, Hoa Binh General Hospital, etc., have been invested in with modern and spacious facilities, meeting the increasingly high demand for medical examination and treatment from the people.

In addition, many advanced medical techniques have been implemented at various levels, such as SPECT-CT, 128-slice computed tomography, DSA angiography, treatment for thalassemia, Ateplase thrombolysis, and hemodialysis...

Many advanced medical techniques that were previously only performed at tertiary hospitals or abroad have now become routine procedures at the city's hospitals, such as kidney transplantation at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital and corneal transplantation at Hai Phong Eye Hospital.

Cataract surgery for elderly people in Hai Phong.

On October 14th, Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital successfully performed its eighth kidney transplant with a related donor for a patient with end-stage chronic kidney disease. It's no coincidence that organ transplantation is called the "art of life." Behind each successful surgery lies a heart-wrenching story. Mrs. PTP, 48 years old, who donated a kidney to save her own son, shared: "Thanks to the skilled medical team, my son and I were able to overcome the difficult treatment period with regular dialysis sessions, exhausting both physically and mentally."

The success of the 8th kidney transplant is a new milestone in the journey of mastering advanced techniques, affirming the pioneering position of Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital – a specialized medical center in the Northern Coastal region.

Hai Duong General Hospital is constantly expanding comprehensive cooperation with central-level hospitals to better protect and care for the health of the people (archive photo).

Beyond mastering advanced technology, one of the key tasks that the health sector has been focusing on is promoting comprehensive digital transformation, completing the construction of a synchronized health database, and ensuring connectivity and interoperability. By September 30, 2025, all 46 public health units under the Hai Phong Department of Health will have completed the deployment of electronic medical records on the Ministry of Health's portal.

The healthcare sector is currently implementing many digital platforms such as electronic health records, telemedicine, HIS software, LIS software, etc. The flexible application of specific mechanisms and policies according to Resolution 226 of the National Assembly will continue to create "impetus" bringing about breakthrough changes in the healthcare sector of Hai Phong.

The private healthcare system has also developed strongly, contributing to expanding access to services and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment. In the photo: Health check-up for pediatric patients at Hoa Binh General Hospital. Photo: THANH CHUNG

Many excellent policies

The consistent goal of Hai Phong city is to develop a comprehensive, specialized, and modern healthcare sector, shortening the gap between different levels of healthcare and with neighboring localities, aiming towards universal health insurance.

As of September 2025, the entire city had over 3.7 million people participating in health insurance, reaching 96.93% of the plan, accounting for 93% of the population. In the first nine months, more than 4.2 million people received medical examinations and treatments covered by health insurance, with full benefits reimbursed by the fund. Health insurance has become a key element in the comprehensive public health care system.

Staff at Kinh Mon Medical Center guide patients in registering for medical examinations via electronic kiosks.

To achieve the goal of universal health insurance coverage, Hai Phong and Hai Duong (formerly) were leading localities in enacting many practical policies. Hai Phong City (formerly) implemented Resolution No. 05, providing free health insurance cards to over 100,000 elderly people aged 60-79; and subsidizing part or all of the premium for those near the poverty line, HIV-infected individuals, and members of the Association of the Blind… In addition, over 15,000 people who escaped poverty or near-poverty received 100% premium support according to Resolution No. 04 of the City People's Council.

In the former Hai Duong province, Resolution No. 37 of the Provincial People's Council stipulated that 100% of health insurance premiums would be subsidized for those who have escaped poverty, elderly people aged 77-79 without pensions, Party members with 40-year Party membership badges, and members of security and order teams; other groups would receive 30-70% subsidy.

Officials and staff of the Social Insurance agency are disseminating information about health insurance policies to the public.

At 70 years old, Ms. Hoang Thi Hue from Thuong Hong commune suffers from many age-related ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, insomnia, and knee pain, requiring frequent medical check-ups. With a 30% subsidy on health insurance premiums for those aged 65 to under 77 provided by the former locality before the merger, along with the 70% subsidy from the former Hai Duong province budget, Ms. Hue received a free health insurance card. Ms. Hue confided: “Everyone wants to be healthy, but in old age, illness and disease are inevitable, and having a health insurance card helps ease the burden on my children and grandchildren. Having a free health insurance card makes me feel more at ease when going to the hospital, especially as health insurance benefits are increasingly expanding, bringing truly humane value.”

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Khuong, born in 1952, residing in An Lao commune, happily stated: “Due to my advanced age, poor health, and lack of a pension or social welfare benefits, I have to purchase my own health insurance card every year. After many years of worry and hardship whenever my health insurance card is due for renewal, I am now receiving free cards. With this health insurance card, I go for regular health check-ups every year to proactively prevent illnesses.”

According to Deputy Director of Hai Phong Social Insurance, Dinh Thi Lan Huong, the unit has proposed that the city consider increasing the insurance contribution support for the poor, near-poor, and elderly, so that people in both localities can benefit equally from the policy and be encouraged to participate in social security.

However, not resting on its laurels and always striving for higher goals to better serve the people, the city has implemented many specific and practical solutions to improve the quality of healthcare and public health services.

The former Hai Phong city approved the "Enhancing the Capacity of the Public Health System by 2030" project and issued Resolution No. 10 of the City People's Council on specific policies to support training and remuneration for medical personnel in the period 2024-2030.

In 2024, the total funding reached VND 32.78 billion, supporting the training and remuneration of 3,880 doctors, pharmacists, and civil servants; the projected amount for 2025 is VND 50.6 billion. Five units received approval for infrastructure investment with a total capital of VND 391 billion.

In the former Hai Duong province, the "Project to strengthen infrastructure and equipment at public health units at the provincial level in the period 2025 - 2030" and Resolution No. 39 of the Provincial People's Council were issued with a total budget of 33.55 billion VND allocated for training, attracting, and rewarding medical personnel.

In August 2025, Phase 2 of the Hai Duong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Project was inaugurated and put into operation, contributing to the completion of technical infrastructure and meeting the needs for obstetric and gynecological examination and treatment in the western Hai Phong area and the entire city. Photo: THANH CHUNG

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Health Tran Quoc Trinh, with the attention of the City Party Committee, the City People's Council, the City People's Committee, and the support of all levels and sectors, Hai Phong's health system has received strong investment, especially in infrastructure, contributing to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment for the people. In the period 2021-2025, the health sector has been allocated over 4,177 billion VND for renovation, construction, and procurement of modern equipment. Of this, the eastern area has 9 public investment projects with a total budget of approximately 945 billion VND, and the western area has 11 public investment projects with a total budget of approximately 3,232 billion VND.

According to Mr. Tran Quoc Trinh, despite the achievements, many facilities are still dilapidated and do not meet the requirements for upgrading and renovation. Therefore, the Department of Health proposes an investment of 15,861 billion VND for the period 2026-2030, prioritizing more than 20 key projects with an investment capital of approximately 5,700 billion VND.

Vision for the future

Health check-ups for the elderly at Phu Thai Commune Health Station.

The city is aiming to develop Hai Phong into a high-quality medical center for the region and the country, gradually upgrading Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital to a top-tier hospital, and planning a high-tech medical zone in the South linked to an ecological, industrial, and research urban area. Simultaneously, it is restructuring the grassroots healthcare system according to the family doctor clinic model and smart community healthcare; investing in a regional Center for Disease Control (CDC), and applying artificial intelligence and big data in managing public health.

The goals and solutions outlined in Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of people's health, along with the "Enhancing the Capacity of the Health System in Hai Phong City" project, are considered a concrete action roadmap to realize the principle of "putting the people at the center."

The city of Hai Phong aims to provide free annual health check-ups for its residents starting in 2026. By 2030, it plans to waive basic hospital fees within the scope of health insurance benefits and expand coverage to include other benefits.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Minh Quang, Director of the Department of Health, the development and implementation of the "Enhancing the Capacity of the Hai Phong City Health System" project to implement Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo is an urgent requirement, aiming to become the Northern Coastal Region Health Center by 2030, with a modern, high-quality, and efficient system, leading in the field of marine medicine.

Hai Phong aims to attract more than 5,000 doctors and nurses to work in its medical facilities by 2030. Photo: DO HIEN

With Hai Phong being the largest seaport in Northern Vietnam and a growth pole for the maritime economy, the need for a specialized maritime and island healthcare system is becoming increasingly urgent. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Quynh Chi, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Maritime Medicine, stated that the field has built a solid foundation in hyperbaric medicine, providing timely treatment for specific accidents such as decompression sickness in divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, and supporting treatment and rehabilitation for patients with cerebral infarction and difficult-to-heal wounds. The Institute also integrates advanced treatment methods such as platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Hai Phong is also researching to pioneer a pilot "Smart Port Enterprise Healthcare Model" at major ports and shipbuilding industrial zones, standardizing initial emergency medical equipment, and establishing a specialized training program in maritime medicine in collaboration with the Institute of Maritime Medicine, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and businesses.

It can be affirmed that improving the quality of life and the holistic development of the people of Hai Phong not only helps people become healthier and happier, but also creates momentum for balanced and sustainable economic growth, contributing to narrowing the healthcare gap between urban and island areas. Furthermore, it is a vivid manifestation of the ideology of "putting people at the center of development," affirming the humanistic values ​​and socialist orientation that our Party and State are steadfastly pursuing, for the people and for the future of Hai Phong today and tomorrow.

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