The city has asked the Prime Minister to allow private medical facilities to collect fees for treating Covid-19 patients.

The Ministry of Health had previously asked HCM City to mobilize private medical facilities, especially for treatment to relieve pressure for public health facilities.

Surveys show that the procurement of drugs and medical supplies as well as the usage and costs for the treatment of Covid-19 patients between the public and private medical facilities are different.

The payment mechanism for covid-19 treatment at the public health system is unsuitable for private medical facilities as it is not enough for private medical facilities to maintain operations. However, if private medical facilities are allowed to collect fees based on actual costs, many negative impacts will arise. At present, Covid-19 patients in Vietnam are treated for free.

According to private medical facilities, there are many covid-19 patients who are willing to pay the cost of Covid-19 treatment to receive treatment on demand, and to share part of treatment costs with the State budget. Based on this fact, private medical facilities have asked the authorities to allow them to charge fees for examination and treatment services for Covid-19 patients.

On August 23, HCM City asked the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to have guidance on paying Covid-19 treatment costs for private medical facilities.

On September 1, the Ministry of Finance asked the Ministry of Health to urgently research, develop and submit to authorities or issue regulations on the implementation of Covid-19 treatment and payment of expenses for Covid-19 medical examination and treatment at non-public medical facilities.

Due to the urgent need to mobilize private medical facilities to participate in Covid-19 treatment, HCM City asked the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Health to promptly implement the proposal of the Ministry of Finance.

Tu Anh

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