On 16/9, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan spoke to the press about the newly issued Resolution 72 by the Politburo, which includes special incentive policies for healthcare workers. This move is expected to create a boost in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, especially those on the front lines.
According to the Resolution, doctors, preventative medicine doctors, and pharmacists will start at salary level 2 upon being hired. Currently, newly graduated doctors begin at level one. With a base salary of 2.34 million VND, their monthly income is only around 7 million VND (including a 40% occupational allowance, before insurance deductions). This income level is considered inadequate given the length of training and the pressures of working in the medical field.
Besides the salary increase, Resolution 72 also raises allowances for healthcare workers. Specifically, medical staff working directly at communal health stations will receive a minimum 70% allowance increase; in ethnic minority areas, mountainous regions, and disadvantaged areas, the allowance will increase to 100%. Similarly, those in specialized fields such as psychiatry, forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, emergency resuscitation, and surgical pathology will also receive a 100% preferential allowance.
The Ministry of Health admits the current allowance is "too low and no longer appropriate." While the base salary has been adjusted 8 times in 13 years, allowances remain unchanged based on a decision issued in 2011.
In reality, many doctors on duty and surgeons have expressed that the current allowance is not commensurate with their workload and effort. Specifically, the 24-hour on-call allowance is 115,000 VND/person/shift, with a meal allowance of 15,000 VND/person/shift for class one and special-class hospitals. The special surgery allowance is 280,000 VND, and the class one surgery allowance is 125,000 VND for the lead surgeon.
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Doctor in the Emergency Department, Nhan Dan 115 Hospital. Photo: Khuong Nguyen |
Doctor in the Emergency Department, Nhan Dan 115 Hospital. Photo: Khuong Nguyen
Minister Lan emphasized the importance of establishing attractive policies to ensure healthcare workers feel secure in their profession. Therefore, Resolution 72 establishes a worthy remuneration policy, recognizing the medical profession as a special one requiring specialized training, utilization, and compensation.
"This is truly a boost, creating motivation for frontline healthcare workers," the Minister said, adding that the Ministry of Health will collaborate to institutionalize these solutions for prompt implementation. The preferential policies in training and employment will also help improve the quality of grassroots health personnel, creating conditions for staff to feel secure in their work.
In addition to salary increases, the Ministry of Health is also focused on improving the professional environment and medical ethics. Accordingly, solutions include: improving the working environment, ensuring safety and reducing pressure for healthcare workers, innovating medical service management based on output quality and aiming for satisfaction for both patients and medical staff, and strictly handling negative behaviors and assaults against healthcare workers.
Ms. Lan said the Ministry of Health continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to prevent medical violence and build a safe and humane working environment where healthcare professionals are protected and respected. "This not only provides moral encouragement but also contributes to spreading faith in medical practitioners throughout society," she shared.
Le Nga
