Faced with the situation of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital having all MRI machines for patients at both facilities broken, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has mobilized hospitals to find a solution.
According to a report from Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, the unit has 2 MRI machines for patients. Among them, a machine located at facility 1 (Binh Thanh district) has been in use for more than 10 years. Recently, it has been frequently damaged and has stopped working, with very high repair costs.
The hospital Board of Directors has a plan to buy new machines, expected to deploy in 2024 to serve patients using the City’s stimulus loan mechanism.
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital has sent patients to facility 2 for MRI scans when indicated. But recently, the machine at facility 2 also suddenly broke down after more than 3 years of being in use. Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital immediately contacted the machine manufacturer and received a response to fix it free of charge soon. Specifically, the MRI machine manufacturer ordered equipment from Singapore, then shipped it to Vietnam for repair and replacement. It is expected that about 1 week later, this MRI machine can return to normal operation.
In response to this incident, the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City requested hospitals with MRI machines that have not yet been used at full capacity to provide support, not to let cancer patients be disadvantaged while waiting for the Oncology Hospital to repair and replace the machine.
Implementing this request, there were 2 hospitals volunteering to support Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital.
Specifically, Hong Duc Hospital facility 2 will take and pick up patients from facility 1 of the Oncology Hospital for free for MRI scans. The cost of taking a photo is equal to the price according to health insurance payment regulations.
Thu Duc Regional General Hospital will support MRI scans for patients of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital facility 2. Patients with health insurance do not have to pay any additional costs. Traveling for screening is also completely free.
The Director of the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City requested the Oncology Hospital, Thu Duc Regional General Hospital and Hong Duc 2 Hospital to develop strict procedures in transferring patients for MRI scans and sign responsibility contracts. clearly, to ensure legitimate rights and safety for patients.
Alda McKenzie