On 4/5, at a regular government press conference, Deputy Minister Le Duc Luan discussed the large-scale, modern Bach Mai 2 and Viet Duc 2 hospital projects. Each facility is designed for 1,000 beds and covers 138,000 m2. Despite the government issuing a special resolution to remove obstacles, construction and completion still encountered difficulties. Specifically, preparing, verifying, and approving estimates for work completed in 2018 and 2019 faced hurdles because they no longer aligned with current regulations.

Design modifications necessitated adjustments to numerous items, including fire prevention and fighting systems, water supply and drainage, and environmental procedures. Procurement of medical equipment also faced challenges, as the projects were approved in 2014 and 2015, requiring updates to current technology while adhering to strict procurement regulations. Both projects also experienced financial difficulties, as contractors struggled to secure bank loans, placing significant pressure on construction progress.

"Most obstacles have now been resolved," Deputy Minister Luan stated. "The remaining work primarily involves construction completion, focusing on adjustments and additions to fire prevention and fighting systems, and wastewater treatment and environmental systems."

The Ministry of Health has instructed project investors, the Project Management Board, and relevant units to strive for the hospitals' operation by Q2/2026. They are also collaborating with the Ministry of Construction to resolve issues related to the verification and approval of package estimates.

The Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of National Defense, has urged contractors to allocate personnel to complete remaining items such as fire prevention and fighting systems and waste treatment, ensuring readiness for licensing. Contractors are eligible for temporary payments up to 90% of completed work volume and advances up to 50% for items arising from contract adjustments.

Bach Mai Hospital's second facility in Ninh Binh, 4/2025. Photo: Giang Huy

Previously, on 14/4, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung urged for the definitive resolution of all obstacles, completion of procedures, and the commencement of operations for the two hospitals in Ninh Binh by Q2/2026.

Addressing the National Assembly on 10/4, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan stated that the two projects had achieved high-quality construction but remained unusable after 10 years due to complications with final accounts, fire prevention and fighting systems, and technical requirements.

Initiated in 2015 in Ninh Binh to alleviate pressure on existing facilities, both projects halted construction in early 2021, leading to the deterioration of some components. The Government Inspectorate identified numerous violations across bidding, construction, and project management phases, resulting in a delay of over 7 years and significant waste, with estimated damages around 1,253 billion VND.

In late March, the Supreme People's Procuracy indicted former Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien for violating regulations on state asset management and use, causing losses and waste. She is accused of causing 803 billion VND in waste across the two projects.

Vu Tuan