Many public hospitals still lack medicine and medical supplies.

The shortage of drugs and medical supplies in public hospitals remains a prominent problem, seriously affecting the treatment process and health of patients, especially those with chronic diseases.

The shortage of drugs and medical supplies in public hospitals remains a prominent problem, seriously affecting the treatment process and health of patients, especially those with chronic diseases.

The shortage of drugs and medical supplies not only causes patients to suffer interruptions in their treatment, but also creates a financial burden, as patients have to pay for drugs that should be covered by their health insurance.

For patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc., continuous use of medication is a prerequisite to maintaining health. However, due to a shortage of drugs in some hospitals, many patients have to find ways to make ends meet, buy drugs themselves, and even pay the entire cost, instead of having health insurance cover it.

Despite many difficulties in bidding, the Ministry of Health pledges to continue supporting medical facilities, helping them solve the shortage of drugs and supplies.

- Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan

At the Central Endocrinology Hospital and Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, according to patients' feedback, there is still a constant shortage of medicine and supplies, which seriously affects the treatment process for people.

Talking to reporters about the causes of drug shortages, Mr. Nguyen Tuong Son, Director of the Department of Planning and Finance (Ministry of Health) admitted that drug and medical supplies shortages are occurring in many public hospitals, although this is a local shortage. One of the main reasons is the change in the Law on Bidding, effective from January 1, 2024, with many new points that medical facilities have not yet grasped and applied to procurement and bidding. Some hospitals are facing a situation where there are no contractors participating in bidding, while market prices fluctuate, so they cannot purchase in time.

To overcome the shortage of drugs and medical supplies, the Ministry of Health has implemented many measures. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that the Ministry has coordinated with ministries and branches to advise the Government to amend and issue many decrees and circulars, removing difficulties in the procurement and bidding of drugs and medical supplies. These changes help hospitals ensure adequate supply of drugs and basic medical supplies for people.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has been disseminating new regulations on bidding and developing a handbook for hospitals, expected to be issued in early 2025. “Despite many difficulties in bidding, the Ministry of Health is committed to continuing to support medical facilities, helping them solve the shortage of drugs and supplies,” Minister Dao Hong Lan emphasized.

In particular, according to the new circular on payment for medicine and medical equipment costs, the Ministry of Health has stipulated a mechanism to allow the transfer of medicine and supplies between medical facilities. This helps ensure that when a hospital lacks medicine, it can transfer medicine from another hospital and health insurance will pay for these cases.

Under health insurance, patients have the right to receive full medical services without having to pay extra. However, when hospitals run out of medicine, patients will have to fend for themselves, leading to unnecessary financial burdens.

The Ministry of Health pledged to continue reviewing and resolving issues of drug shortages in hospitals. Minister Dao Hong Lan affirmed that the Ministry will require hospitals to report on drug and medical supply shortages and will take timely measures to prevent people from suffering due to drug shortages.

The shortage of drugs and medical supplies in hospitals not only causes difficulties in treatment, but also seriously affects the rights and health of patients. Although the Ministry of Health is taking specific steps to overcome this situation, it is important that medical facilities grasp and properly apply the new regulations on bidding and purchasing drugs and medical supplies. Hopefully, in the near future, patients will no longer have to face drug shortages and can rest assured in their treatment without worrying about financial problems.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/nhieu-benh-vien-cong-lap-van-thieu-thuoc-vat-tu-y-te-d240074.html