The medical station in Ho Chi Minh City examines and treats health insurance like a hospital

On December 26, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Tang Chi Thuong said that the city is rearranging 38 regional medical centers, which are currently managing 168 medical stations, into 168 commune, ward, and special zone medical stations under the commune-level People’s Committee. Changing this model aims to shorten the management stage, help medical stations be more proactive and serve people promptly, closer to actual needs.

After the arrangement, the medical stations still maintain their existing facilities, human resources and equipment, ensuring that medical examination and treatment, vaccination and primary health care activities are not interrupted. The stations continue to be guided, supported and inspected professionally by the Department of Health.

Services familiar to people such as vaccination, chronic disease monitoring, health management for the elderly and children, and health education and communication continue to be maintained and organized in accordance with the characteristics of each area. In areas where previously people had to go to the regional medical center to address basic medical needs, this can now be done right at the ward or commune health station, helping to save travel time and reduce waiting.

With regional medical centers providing inpatient treatment, Ho Chi Minh City still maintains medical examination and treatment activities as currently. Part of the basic medical tasks were transferred to medical stations, contributing to reasonable patient flow and reducing pressure on higher-level facilities.

According to Mr. Thuong, the city aims to improve the capacity of the medical station so that this truly becomes the “first medical contact point” for the people. Grassroots medical staff will be trained, update their professional knowledge, and receive direct support from hospitals through remote consultation and consultation. Thanks to that, many disease cases can be diagnosed, monitored and treated right at the facility level such as a hospital, limiting unnecessary referrals.

Medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance at medical stations are guaranteed to have adequate medication according to the prescribed list, helping people feel secure when using health insurance at a facility near their home. Ho Chi Minh City will also gradually promote the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in medical station operations. The AI ​​model that supports reading and analyzing X-rays has been effectively deployed at Thanh An Island Commune Medical Station and is expected to be expanded, helping people in remote areas still access quality medical services.

In emergency cases requiring hospital transfer, Emergency Center 115 continues to coordinate and support medical stations, ensuring patients are transferred promptly and safely. Disease prevention and control work is also organized right in the area, early detection and quick handling of risks in the community.

According to the head of Ho Chi Minh City’s health sector, medical stations under any management model are still the foundation of the health system. The stations do not operate alone but are always connected and supported in terms of expertise, human resources and operations from the entire system, to ensure that people receive continuous and safe health care right from the grassroots level.

In the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City will prioritize investing in building new or upgrading facilities for medical stations, ensuring enough space, equipment and service conditions. Localities are required to proactively review the current situation, allocate appropriate land funds and capital sources, aiming to build a spacious, modern, and people-friendly medical station system.