Part 2: Closer care, greater public benefit

To strengthen the role of grassroots healthcare – the level closest to the people – particularly in remote, isolated, and ethnic minority areas, the Ministry of Health, international projects and Dong Nai City have recently increased investment in primary healthcare network.

Residents of Loc Quang commune receive free health check-ups. Photo: Hanh Dung

Many commune health stations (HSs) and health centers (HCs) have become bright spots, widely regarded as the first choice for residents when facing health issues.

People enjoy benefits

Truong Thi Dong, a resident of Loc Quang commune, said, “A few months ago, I suffered a stroke that left me paralyzed on the right side and unable to carry out daily activities. After receiving treatment at a higher-level hospital, I returned to the Loc Quang commune HS for physical therapy. Thanks to the dedicated care, acupuncture, and rehabilitation exercises provided by doctors and technicians at the station, my limbs have recovered by approximately 70 percent. Compared to before, the station has seen significant improvements, with qualified doctors available for examinations and a wider range of medicines. From now on, if I fall ill, I will go to the HS for a quick check-up without needing to go to higher-level hospitals.”

Specialist Level I Doctor Tran Van Thi, Head of the Loc Quang commune HS, said that regarding medical examination and treatment, the station implements the full list of medical examination and treatment services covered by health insurance. On average, the station daily examines 50-60 patients. Notably, the integrated model of Eastern and Western medicine is a strength of the station. It currently has two traditional medicine practitioners and one technician undergoing training. Since early 2026, the station has received over 1,700 patients with over 2,300 sessions of acupuncture and acupressure provided completely free of charge, and has implemented rehabilitation for 65 cases with 445 exercise sessions.

Since July 2025, staff at the Loc Quang commune HS have introduced a range of innovative measures to deliver healthcare services directly at the grassroots level. It has identified increasing vaccination coverage as a key solution to preventing diseases among children. Therefore, it has promoted the role of village health workers, who are familiar with each household and each child, to mobilize residents to bring their children for immunization.

In addition, Loc Quang commune HS has mobilized social resources to organize numerous free health check-up campaigns for thousands of local residents, with priority given to the elderly. Through these screenings, doctors have identified many cases of diabetes, hypertension, and eye diseases. All detected cases are recorded in electronic health records and provided with guidance on medication use and health protection. Patients with serious conditions are referred to specialized hospitals for timely examination and treatment.

Phuoc Thai commune HS currently has a staff of 28, including six doctors. Specialist Level I Doctor Tran Minh Dang, in charge of the station, said that with the guiding principle of “prevention is better than cure,” it has established three rapid response teams to implement effective disease prevention and control measures in the locality. Instead of waiting for feedback from the infectious disease surveillance software system, these teams proactively visit hamlets on a weekly basis to conduct communication campaigns, encourage residents to maintain environmental sanitation, and eliminate mosquito larvae to prevent dengue fever. They also guide residents to promptly report suspected illness in themselves and their family members. At the same time, the station actively coordinates with local schools and childcare centers to collect information on children’s vaccination status and detect unusual health cases, thereby developing timely plans for catch-up immunization and appropriate disease control measures when necessary.

Nguyen Van Ngon, 75, a resident of Phuoc Thai commune, said, “Due to my old age, I cannot ride a motorbike and therefore regularly visit the commune HS for medical check-ups. The doctors and medical staff provide dedicated care and clear guidance. Because I am covered by health insurance, I do not have to spend much on my routine monthly check-ups and treatment for common illnesses.”

Grassroots healthcare masters many advanced techniques

Specialist Level II Doctor Duong Minh Tan, Director of the Long Thanh Regional HC, stated that in recent years, two HSs have been newly built while seven others have been renovated. To date, all stations and satellite clinics are equipped with spacious, clean, and modern facilities, supported by sufficient human resources, thereby meeting the healthcare needs of local residents.

Specialist Level I Doctor Bui Thi Huong, in charge of the Long An HS Point (Long Thanh ward), noted: Thanks to the attention of authorities at all levels, the station has been equipped with modern devices such as ultrasound and electrocardiogram machines. As a result, residents are highly satisfied, as they no longer need to travel to higher-level hospitals.

A doctor at Phuoc Thai commune HS provides traditional medicine treatment and rehabilitation therapy for a patient. Photo: Hanh Dung

Alongside HSs, HCs have also received increased investment. In mid-July 2025, the Cam My Regional HC officially put into operation a new three-storey outpatient building, designed to be spacious and modern. According to Specialist Level I Doctor Nguyen Thi Kim Ha, Deputy Director in charge of the Cam My Regional HC, improved infrastructure plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of medical services, attracting more patients, and raising patient satisfaction. In addition to facility upgrades, the center has also been equipped with a range of modern medical devices.

“The center daily provides medical examination and treatment for 600 to 800 patients from within and outside the area per day. It has mastered most surgical and obstetric procedures, including inguinal hernia repair, gallstone treatment, gastric perforation surgery, colon anastomosis, intestinal perforation treatment, Longo hemorrhoid surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and first and second cesarean sections; femoral fracture fixation surgery is also expected to be introduced soon,” Dr. Kim Ha said.

Similarly, the Xuan Loc Regional HC has achieved notable results in healthcare provision, gradually affirming the role of grassroots healthcare. A key highlight is its strong professional development, particularly in surgery. The center has mastered numerous laparoscopic techniques and effectively treated common conditions such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts, and gastroduodenal perforation, as well as complex orthopedic trauma cases. Many severe and critical cases have been successfully managed at the grassroots level, significantly reducing the burden on higher-level hospitals.

According to Doctor Bui Thai Chien, Director of the Xuan Loc Regional HC, alongside improving professional quality, the center continues to invest in facilities and equipment, gradually modernizing the system and moving toward sustainable development. The medical workforce is also steadily enhancing its qualifications and professional responsibility, thereby strengthening public trust.

To ensure that HCs and HSs can effectively serve as primary healthcare providers, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human resources, as well as establish appropriate mechanisms and policies to remove bottlenecks and shortcomings at the primary care level.

Currently, the grassroots healthcare system in Dong Nai comprises 22 regional HCs, 95 commune/ward HSs, and 176 satellite clinics. During the 2021–2025 period, 30 HSs have been newly constructed and 43 others have been renovated or upgraded, including packages of accompanying medical equipment. At present, 55 HSs are under construction, while 28 others are being renovated and upgraded.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha

Part 3: Opportunities for restructuring Dong Nai's healthcare sector