The proposal was made during the minister's working visit to the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center on 21/9. According to Lan, investing in Con Dao's healthcare is urgent given the island's strategic importance for national defense and the maritime economy, while its healthcare sector faces many challenges.
Key challenges include the island's isolated location, harsh weather, rapidly increasing transient population, and limited sea rescue infrastructure. Con Dao has over 14,000 residents, but receives 4,000 to 6,000 tourists and thousands of fishermen daily, putting a strain on the healthcare system. Fishermen often experience occupational accidents, and first aid and transportation remain inadequate.
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Doctors from a major Ho Chi Minh City hospital perform surgery at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center in early September. Photo courtesy of the hospital |
Doctors from a major Ho Chi Minh City hospital perform surgery at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center in early September. Photo courtesy of the hospital
The Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center currently has 60 beds and 73 staff, including only 16 doctors. Despite modern equipment like CT scanners, laparoscopic surgery systems, and regular telemedicine consultations with major hospitals, the center severely lacks specialists in surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, and intensive care. Risks of disease outbreaks and food safety issues are ever-present, especially during peak tourist season.
To address these issues, the minister asked Ho Chi Minh City and related units to increase investment in facilities and develop policies to incentivize healthcare workers. She emphasized Resolution 72 of the Politburo on allowance incentives for medical staff working on islands as a crucial basis for Con Dao to attract and retain doctors.
The minister requested the medical center to further improve professional capacity, promote telemedicine, and complete electronic health records and medical files for seamless connection with higher levels. She suggested rotating staff from major city hospitals to the island as a key solution.
Since 3/9, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has deployed a program sending seven skilled doctors from major hospitals to Con Dao on rotation.
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Health Minister Dao Hong Lan (in a shirt) and the delegation visit the school dental program at a primary school in Con Dao. Photo courtesy of the hospital |
Health Minister Dao Hong Lan (in a shirt) and the delegation visit the school dental program at a primary school in Con Dao. Photo courtesy of the hospital
The Ho Chi Minh City Central Odonto-Maxillo-Facial Hospital also signed a cooperation agreement with the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center to implement a school dental program and elderly oral care for the period 2025-2028. Initial surveys of over 1,200 people revealed a tooth decay rate of 84% in children and 72% tooth loss in the elderly. The hospital donated six mobile dental chairs worth 600 million VND to the center.
Le Phuong
