Viet Duc Hospital's second facility in Ninh Binh is set to open by Q1/2026, aiming to alleviate the severe overcrowding that has plagued central hospitals for over a decade. Associate Professor Duong Duc Hung, the hospital's Director, announced on the morning of 10/12 that after the contractor hands over construction items on 19/12, the hospital will proceed with equipment installation, fire safety system completion, waste treatment, and personnel assignment. The facility plans to launch with 30% capacity, equivalent to 300 beds, with expansion planned as operations stabilize. This strategic move is expected to fundamentally address patient overflow, redistribute patient flow, and enhance treatment quality.

The opening of both Viet Duc and Bach Mai Hospital's second facilities is a strategic solution to reduce the burden on Hanoi's hospitals. For over a decade, the healthcare sector has faced immense pressure from central-level hospital overcrowding, where one bed often served three patients. Limited investment in provincial-level healthcare has driven patients to central facilities. These new provincial hospitals will enable tens of millions of residents in Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam, and neighboring areas to access complex surgical techniques and high-tech medical services locally, reducing travel time and directly easing the load on Hanoi's main facilities.

Associate Professor Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc Hospital. Photo: Thao My.

Viet Duc Hospital emphasizes that establishing its second facility is not merely about expanding space but about completing four pillars: infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and operational mechanisms. Regarding staffing, the hospital began recruiting and training staff for the new facility several years ago. Doctors, nurses, and technicians have undergone continuous rotation and practice to standardize work procedures. Hospital leadership affirmed the professional consistency between the two locations, ensuring Hanoi's operations remain unaffected by personnel transfers to Ninh Binh.

Bach Mai Hospital's second facility, part of the same key project, anticipates admitting patients earlier, starting from 19/12. Associate Professor, Doctor Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, confirmed that the facility has completed preparations for human resources and equipment. Over 600 medical staff from Hanoi have registered for rotation, combining with newly recruited personnel, to operate 325 beds and two emergency operating rooms.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long recently urged units to put a portion of the project into use by 19/12. Deputy Minister of Health Le Duc Luan announced that contracts for 82 pieces of equipment have been finalized and are expected to be installed before 25/12.

The second facility projects for Bach Mai and Viet Duc Hospitals commenced in 2015 in Ha Nam, each designed for 1,000 beds. However, both constructions were halted in 2021, leading to the deterioration of many components. The Government Inspectorate previously concluded that the project had numerous violations in investment and bidding, causing losses exceeding 1,200 billion VND. The Ministry of Public Security later prosecuted seven defendants linked to irregularities in these two projects.

Le Nga