Hanoi has set a target of early completion of four large general hospitals at the city's gateways by 2025, according to a hospital upgrading plan recently signed by Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi Municipal People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan.

The four hospitals include Me Linh General Hospital, Ba Vi General Hospital, Hanoi Infectious Diseases Hospital, and Hanoi Eye Hospital (the second branch).

In addition, Hanoi has made a plan to build nine new satellite emergency medical centers in My Dinh, North Thang Long new urban area, Hoa Lac, Thuong Tin, Phu Xuyen urban areas, Son Tay, Van Dinh, Xuan Mai, and Soc Son.

The plan is part of the city's implementation of an action program issued by the Hanoi Party Committee in March to boost the city's socio-economic development, marking the 15th anniversary of administrative boundary expansion in 2008. 

According to the plan, the newly built hospitals will help the capital city meet its target of 30 to 35 beds for every 10,000 people by 2025.

Inside the Bach Mai Hospital campus in Hanoi. The hospital is located near the capital's southern gateway. Photo: bachmai.gov.vn

Moreover, Hanoi will increase the number of beds in medical facilities and general hospitals to 21,880 by 2025 and 24,380 by 2030.

"Hanoi will also make efforts to build the capacity of its healthcare workers and improve the quality of medical treatment to ensure the operation of the newly built hospitals," the plan said.

Current medical examination and treatment facilities will be upgraded and modernized with high technology, and the number of patient beds will be increased as required. Hanoi will also gradually relocate hospitals that treat serious infectious diseases from densely populated downtown to suitable areas.

The non-public medical examination and treatment network will also be expanded with 4,000-6,000 private patient beds. In particular, Hanoi will encourage the establishment of hospitals with 100% foreign capital.

The city will also prioritize the development of private hospitals and medical services with high technology, high examination and treatment efficiency, and low environmental pollution.

Hanoi has long struggled with overcrowded hospitals and health centers, most of which are located in densely populated areas of the capital.

Statistics by the city's Department of Health showed that Hanoi needs at least 4,200 more beds. "The new hospitals would improve the city's healthcare in line with international standards, so people would no longer have to travel abroad for treatment," the report stressed.

In another move, ten hospital projects are awaiting approval from the city authorities, including Hanoi Nephrology Hospital, the upgrading of Hanoi Traditional Medicine Hospital, Hanoi Disease Control Center and Dong Da General Hospital, and the new campus of Hanoi Tropical Disease Hospital.

The city also hopes to begin construction on seven hospital projects that have already been approved by authorities. These projects include the renovation of Hanoi Psychiatric Hospital and Hanoi Oncology Hospital, the construction of Hanoi Heart Hospital, and the improvement of medical ventilation and sewage treatment systems for all hospitals in the city.

The report noted that the Ministry of Health, local hospitals, and government agencies should work closely together to solve problems and speed up hospital projects.