Medicine shortages hit Vietnam’s hospitals, patients struggle
Hospitals across Vietnam are struggling with shortages of medicines and medical equipment, causing problems for patients and healthcare workers.
Reports from provinces like Cao Bằng, Hà Nam, and Đồng Tháp show that many essential medicines and testing chemicals are still unavailable. Patients are being forced to buy medicines on their own or use private hospitals for tests, which are not covered by insurance.
This has caused financial strain for many families, especially those relying on public hospitals.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has blamed the shortages on both global and local issues, local reports indicate.
Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have disrupted global supply chains, making it harder to get medicines and raw materials. Domestically, poor planning and delays in procurement at some hospitals have made the problem worse.
The Government has introduced new measures to address these shortages.
The Public Procurement Law, which came into effect last year, and several new regulations aim to make it easier for hospitals to buy medicines and equipment. But many hospitals are struggling to understand the updated rules or to estimate prices for specialised products like medical devices.
Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan said hospitals need to be more proactive. “We need not only strong legal frameworks but also proactive and flexible implementation at the hospital level,” she was quoted as saying.
To support hospitals, the ministry has announced plans to release a practical procurement guidebook in early 2025. This guide will give hospitals step-by-step instructions to simplify the process.
The government has also made changes to the Health Insurance Law to allow the transfer of medicines and medical supplies between hospitals. New rules taking effect in 2025 will make it easier for hospitals to get reimbursements for health insurance-covered medicines and equipment.
Minister Lan also stressed the need to reduce Vietnam’s reliance on imported medicines by encouraging local production.
“We must attract international pharmaceutical investors and strengthen domestic production,” she was quoted as saying.
Hospitals like HCM City's University Medical Centre have already taken steps to improve procurement by forming specialised teams to manage their needs. The MoH has also sent teams to hospitals to identify specific problems and work with directors to find solutions.
Despite these efforts, many patients are still waiting for essential treatments, and the government faces pressure to act quickly.
