On 25/11, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh outlined an upcoming policy to prohibit non-specialized universities from training in certain fields, citing the example that "only medical schools will be permitted to train doctors" to enhance human resource quality.

This proposal has received mixed reactions from experts, given that 34 universities across the country currently train doctors, including many private institutions such as VinUni, Phenikaa, Hanoi University of Business and Technology, Dai Nam University, Hoa Binh University, Duy Tan University, Van Lang University, and Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Associate Professor, Doctor Ngo Quoc Dat, Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, supports the policy. He affirmed that medicine is a specialized field that directly impacts public health. However, he observed that many institutions are allowed to offer medical programs despite not meeting standards for faculty or practical facilities. Currently, most instructors are doctors from hospitals or hold part-time contracts. While important, they cannot replace medical faculty who possess a strong scientific background and pedagogical skills.

Many institutions invest in impressive pre-clinical simulation centers but lack skilled instructors. Furthermore, the absence of a clear strategy and human resource planning leads to mass recruitment. This results in medical students interning at hospitals often facing a situation where "there are more learners than patients, no standing room, and a shortage of supervising doctors."

Mr. Dat believes that while training needs to expand to meet societal demands, without public-private bias, many schools open medical, pharmaceutical, and dentistry programs primarily to attract students rather than prioritizing quality.

"If not tightened, medical training institutions will spring up like mushrooms after rain, disrupting the university network master plan," Mr. Dat warned.

Medical students at Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VLU

Conversely, a former leader of another medical school in the Southern region suggested that prohibiting non-specialized schools from training doctors might conflict with current regulations. According to the Law on Higher Education, universities have autonomy to open new programs, provided they meet conditions regarding faculty, facilities, and curriculum.

"If institutions meet the requirements and have been licensed for training, they cannot be prohibited," he stated.

Sharing this perspective, Associate Professor, Doctor Dau Xuan Canh, former Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Traditional Medicine, noted that the quality of undergraduate medical training is improving, thanks to three legal frameworks:

First, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has specific regulations for opening programs in health sciences. For example, lecturers and practical instructors must hold practice certificates and be currently or previously working directly at qualified medical examination and treatment facilities. Applications for new programs must undergo appraisal by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which assesses human resource needs and practical training conditions.

Second, health sciences are one of two groups of fields requiring a minimum admission score, which is the threshold for candidates to apply for university admission. Over the past 7 years, the requirement for medicine and dentistry programs has mostly been 22,5 points for a three-subject combination.

Third, from 1/1/2027, according to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, graduating doctors must pass an examination by the National Medical Council to receive a practice license. Mr. Canh considers this a "lever" that will compel medical training institutions to enhance teaching quality and prevent uncontrolled mass training.

He proposed that undergraduate level training can be expanded, but specialized training levels (Residency, Specialty I, II) should only be for traditional institutions.

According to the Government's Healthcare Network Master Plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, Vietnam aims to achieve 15 doctors per 10.000 population by 2025, increasing to 35 doctors by 2050. The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported last year (2024) that approximately 13.000 doctors graduate nationwide each year.

Despite differing views, experts unanimously agree on the necessity of tightening quality control in medical training.

The former rector of the medical school in the Southern region proposed that management agencies increase the conditions for opening new programs instead of imposing bans. Concurrently, the National Medical Council exam needs thorough preparation to effectively filter candidates and enhance quality.

Mr. Dat, for his part, proposed strengthening post-inspection and quality accreditation. "If standards are not met, institutions must close the program and transfer students to qualified facilities," he emphasized.

Duong Tam - Le Nguyen