Project improves healthcare services in coastal, island areas

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Ba
Ria-Vung Tau (VNA) – After four years of implementation, a project to
develop in coastal and island areas through 2020 has showed
good outcomes with remarkable improvements recorded in quality of medical
services for local people, heard a conference in the southern province of Ba
Ria-Vung Tau on March 31.

Hundreds
of training courses have been held for fishermen in 28 coastal localities,
while thousands of medicine cabinets have been set up in offshore fishing
vessels, along with the construction of hospitals in island districts,
including those in Con Dao, Phu Quoc and Ly Son, participants were told at the
event.

At
the same time, the Ministry of Health launched a pilot project to send young
volunteer doctors to mountainous, remote, border and island localities as well
as regions with extreme difficult economic conditions.

Highly-qualified
doctors from central hospitals were sent to local healthcare facilities to help
with further training, while all residents in island localities were provided
with health insurance.

However,
delegates also pointed out a number of difficulties facing the project,
including a lack of investment from the central budget, forcing the targeted
localities to mobilise capital from various sources.

Deputy
Minister of Health Pham Le Tuan underscored the need for closer coordination between
ministries, sectors and localities in the implementation of the project.

Tuan
proposed that the Ministry of National Defence act as a coordinator in transporting
emergency cases at sea, while upgrading and building modern ships, enabling medical
staff to give first aid in coast guard and military vessels.

He
also asked for closer cooperation among military and civil healthcare
facilities, as well as measures to enhance capacity of healthcare centres in
coastal and island areas.-VNA