The Vietnam Health Trade Union has released a report on the resignation of medical workers in H1 2022, citing seven reasons behind the mass resignation of medical workers in recent months. 

First, low income. Under current regulations, doctors, after six years of studying at university and 18 months of practicing, can receive a modest salary of VND3.4 million. If counting the allowance, the total income would be VND4.8 million.

Second, some non-business units now operate under the mode of self-reliance in regular expenses. As healthcare service fees for those who have health insurance cards are low, the revenue of the units is low.

Meanwhile, in recent years, because of Covid-19 and social distancing, the number of patients has decreased, which has led to revenue decreases. Particularly, some units are often late in paying medical workers. The workers tend to leave for private hospitals to get better pay.

Third, the policy on attracting medical workers is not good enough to retain medical workers and attract qualified workers to work in remote areas.

Fourth, the strong development of private hospitals, which offer favorable working conditions and attractive salaries.

Fifth, work pressure. Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, medial workers have had to work hard and have few days off, especially in populous localities such as HCM City and some southern provinces.

The working environment with high risks of being infected with disease affects the psychology and motivation of health workers.

Sixth, because of a lack of modern equipment to carry out advanced techniques in treatment, and the lack of common drugs, doctors cannot promote their professional skills. 

Seventh, medical workers bear pressure from patients’ relatives. Some of them face physical and mental threats.

As of June 30, 2022, as many as 3,756 medical workers under the management of provincial healthcare departments had resigned from their work, including 1,190 doctors, 1,177 nurses, 267 medical technicians and 1,126 other employees.

Some cities and provinces have had a high number of resignations, including HCM City (874), Hanoi (360), Dong Nai (360), Binh Duong (166), An Giang (146), Da Nang (127) and Can Tho (111).

As for non-business units belonging to the Ministry of Health, 357 health workers had resigned by June 30, including 115 doctors, 117 nurses, 33 technicians and 91 other workers.

Ngoc Trang