Local authorities should reconsider new medical prices: MoH

The Ministry said that northern provinces of Son La, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Hung Yen, Hanoi and the Mekong delta province of Dong Thap have adjusted the prices of nearly 2,000 medical services on uninsured patients from May 1.

Though the new hospital discharges just make impact on 12 percent of the population who are not insured patients and the consumer price index, the Ministry fretted that it will affect residents because prices of petrol and electricity are increasing also.

Therefore, the Ministry proposed local authorities to re-consider new hospital discharges as well as increase information to residents that new treatment fees will just affect on uninsured patients.

Moreover, state budget will be spent to support people to buy health insurance card instead of spending on medical centers.

Additionally, MoH ordered departments of health and medical centers to continue improving treatment quality as per the Minister’s requirement.

More importantly, because the new discharges include electricity, water, sanitation, the Ministry asked hospitals not to collect more from patients’ relatives. SGGP

Uyen Phuong