Dong Nai plans to establish specialized medical centers

With a vision toward 2030, Dong Nai’s healthcare sector will develop specialized centers in areas such as otorhinolaryngology, cardiology, oncology, infertility, and nursing homes.

The goal is to enhance advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, develop high-level medical techniques, reduce referrals to other provinces, and attract patients in the region.

Plans to establish a series of specialized medical centers

At a working session with leaders of relevant departments and branches on several contents related to the healthcare sector, chaired by Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee Le Truong Son on the afternoon of October 22, Specialist Doctor Level II Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Department of Health, stated that under Prime Ministerial Decision No. 586/QD-TTg dated July 3, 2024, and Decision No. 1489/QD-TTg dated November 24, 2023, approving the provincial plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, the healthcare sector has also planned the development of specialized medical centers by 2030. The aim is to meet medical demands and enhance the treatment capacity of doctors.

Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, Le Truong Son, chairs a working session with leaders of relevant departments and branches on several issues related to the health sector, including the establishment of specialized medical centers. Photo: Bich Nhan

Accordingly, the Department of Health has assigned Dong Nai General Hospital to develop proposals for establishing centers in otorhinolaryngology, cardiology, and oncology. In addition, by 2030, the healthcare sector plans to set up specialized public centers in emergency services (115), laboratory testing, tropical diseases, nephrology and urology, obstetrics and pediatrics.

In particular, the obstetrics and pediatrics center will prioritize investment in the northwest of the province, potentially located at Binh Phuoc General Hospital, Dong Xoai Medical Center, or Dong Nai Children's Hospital. These facilities already have existing resources, do not require additional administrative apparatus, and are not under investment pressure, allowing operations to begin as early as 2026. In addition, plans will be developed to establish non-public, specialized centers in areas such as infertility, nutrition, nursing homes, and elderly healthcare services.

A working delegation from the National Otorhinolaryngology Hospital of Vietnam (Vietnam National ENT Hospital) visits and works at Dong Nai General Hospital. Photo: My Linh

Among the specialized centers, many will be affiliated with Dong Nai General Hospital and Thong Nhat General Hospital, as both facilities have large scales, well-invested infrastructure and equipment, and highly qualified medical staff.

Specialist Doctor Level II Ngo Duc Tuan, Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, stated that the land area belonging to Dong Nai General Hospital remains available, making it easier to build the facilities needed for the centers.

The hospital has a planned capacity of 1,150 beds (currently 1,250 in use), handling over 900,000 outpatient visits per year and more than 200 emergency cases daily. Bed occupancy consistently exceeds 100%, often resulting in overcrowding. As a first-class general hospital and the leading medical facility in the province, Dong Nai General Hospital is responsible for medical examination and treatment, training, scientific research, and guidance for lower-level healthcare facilities.

“Establishing centers will help reduce the hospital’s workload, especially when located within the hospital campus, as they can utilize the existing equipment of related paraclinical departments. At the same time, these centers will enhance advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, develop high-level medical techniques, and aim for financial autonomy and classification as a special-grade hospital,” shared Dr. Ngo Duc Tuan.

Le Truong Son, Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of Dong Nai People’s Committee, welcomes a working delegation from the National Otorhinolaryngology Hospital of Vietnam at Dong Nai General Hospital. Photo: My Linh

Agreeing with this plan, Specialist Doctor Level II Le Quang Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, emphasized that establishing specialized centers is essential. Locating these centers near other units, such as diagnostic imaging and emergency services, allows optimal use of resources and concentration of personnel. The centers must be interconnected to maximize their strengths, so their locations require careful consideration.

Careful planning needed for the implementation of specialized centers

Regarding the planned obstetrics and pediatrics center, which is expected to be located at either Binh Phuoc General Hospital, Dong Xoai Medical Center, or Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, Dr. Le Quang Trung noted that all these hospitals have obstetrics departments with large patient volumes. Therefore, establishing this center would require consolidating the obstetrics departments from these hospitals into a single specialized facility.

“Establishing specialized centers is necessary, but we must first pilot each field and specialty before expanding the model. Building these centers requires significant investment and the recruitment of personnel, especially experts,” Dr. Trung emphasized.

Director of the Department of Health, Do Thi Nguyen, stated that the healthcare sector still faces human resource challenges, lacking doctors with advanced and specialized expertise to implement and develop specialized techniques across facilities. The main reason is that Dong Nai still lacks policies to attract and provide special incentives for medical personnel working directly in specialized fields at hospitals and grassroots healthcare facilities, as well as preventive medical centers. This endeavor is significant for attracting skilled doctors to challenging, remote, and border areas, as well as for providing on-site specialized training.

The Department of Health also proposed that the Provincial People’s Committee consider and submit to the Provincial People’s Council the early adoption of special mechanisms and policies to attract high-quality medical personnel, particularly specialized doctors and leading experts, to establish the specialized centers.

Dr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, Deputy Director of Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, further explained that the hospital has been operating for over 20 years on just 4 hectares. Although designed for 500 beds, it currently treats 700 inpatients and handles 2,000 outpatient visits daily. Therefore, establishing an obstetrics and pediatrics center at the hospital cannot yet meet the requirements in terms of both personnel and facilities.

Moreover, the hospital has been developed into a specialized pediatric center to treat complex cases that require advanced techniques, aiming to reduce referrals and spare patients the hardship of traveling long distances for medical care.

The facilities at Dong Nai Children’s Hospital are not yet sufficient to support the establishment of an obstetrics and pediatrics center. Photo: Bich Nhan

Specialist Doctor Level II Dinh Cao Minh, Deputy Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, stated that establishing a center requires multiple departments, such as examination, resuscitation, and inpatient treatment. This model is essentially a “mini-hospital” within a larger hospital. Each center would need 300-400 beds, making the investment in construction and equipment quite substantial.

Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, Le Truong Son, emphasized that the Provincial People’s Committee supports the establishment of specialized centers in hospitals. However, the healthcare sector must first conduct pilot programs, starting with the early establishment of an ear, nose, and throat center at Dong Nai General Hospital, while simultaneously preparing dossiers to implement centers for cardiology, oncology, and other specialties.

Once this center becomes operational, the health sector must closely monitor its implementation and draw lessons to inform the expansion of future centers. In addition, the Department of Health should conduct a survey at Thong Nhat General Hospital to establish a nephrology and urology center. Plans for a nursing home and elderly healthcare services should also be developed to meet community needs.

By Bich Nhan - Translated by Huyen Trang, Minho