More talented and experienced doctors are leaving public hospitals to work in private facilities, raising concerns of a shortage of key doctors in the public sector (Photo thanhnien.vn) Dong Nai (VNS/VNA) – More talented and experienced doctors areleaving public hospitals to work in private facilities, raising concerns of ashortage of key doctors in the public sector.
Low salaries and poor working conditions were among reasons given by doctorsleaving public hospitals.
Figures from the southern province of Dong Nai's Department of Health show thatthe number of doctors leaving public hospitals for private facilities hasincreased over the past few years.
In 2016, as many as 65 doctors quit their jobs in favour of the private sector.The number increased to 98 in 2017 and 102 in 2018.
Since early this year, 11 doctors from public hospitals resigned to move toprivate centres.
Dr Le Thi Phuong Tram, deputy head of the Dong Nai General Hospital told ThanhNien (Young People) newspaper that 32 doctors decided to leave thehospital. Of that, three were deputy department heads and eight hadpost-graduate degrees.
Most were young doctors with 2 to 5 years of working experience, she said.
The health sector in HCM City is facing the same exodus. As many as 23 healthworkers, including six doctors and six nurses, have gone on to pursueemployment at private hospitals.
Low salaries and poor working conditions were among reasons given by doctorsleaving public hospitals.
Figures from the southern province of Dong Nai's Department of Health show thatthe number of doctors leaving public hospitals for private facilities hasincreased over the past few years.
In 2016, as many as 65 doctors quit their jobs in favour of the private sector.The number increased to 98 in 2017 and 102 in 2018.
Since early this year, 11 doctors from public hospitals resigned to move toprivate centres.
Dr Le Thi Phuong Tram, deputy head of the Dong Nai General Hospital told ThanhNien (Young People) newspaper that 32 doctors decided to leave thehospital. Of that, three were deputy department heads and eight hadpost-graduate degrees.
Most were young doctors with 2 to 5 years of working experience, she said.
The health sector in HCM City is facing the same exodus. As many as 23 healthworkers, including six doctors and six nurses, have gone on to pursueemployment at private hospitals.
PhD Tang Chi Thuong, Deputy Director of HCMCity’s Department of Health said he was afraid the trend would continue.
The brain drain was alarming, affecting leading hospitals in the city, he said.
It was necessary to have an intervention otherwise the situation would lead toa domino effect, he said.
Dr Le Thi Phuong Tram said the Dong Nai General Hospital took a survey on thesalary doctors wished to receive each month.
Most said they wanted between 20-25 million VND (864-1,080 USD) per month.
To meet the expectation, the hospital is planning to diversify medical examinationand treatment to increase the income of the doctors, she said.
But many doctors said there’s more to it than money.
Director of the Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai Pham Van Dung saidapart from low incomes, there were other reasons for doctors seeking privateemployment.
Nguyen Hoai Nam of HCM City’s Medical University saidmany left their jobs as they no longer felt happy and comfortable with theworking environment.
Theincome was not the key factor for them leaving, he said.
Tang Chi Thuong said well-paid doctors still resigned as they had little chanceof studying abroad or doing research to improve their professional skills.
Bui Thanh Chi, former deputy head of the Hanoi -based Bach Mai Hospital, saidqualified doctors working at public hospitals like Vietnam-Germany or Bach Mairarely wanted to switch jobs to get more money.
A professional working atmosphere with research and advancement opportunitieswould be the key factor helping doctors devote themselves to their work, hesaid.
Health experts have suggested that the health sector needed to change a numberof policies and mechanisms to improve the income and professional skills ofhealth staff. This would help retain talented and qualified doctors at publichospitals.-VNS/VNA
The brain drain was alarming, affecting leading hospitals in the city, he said.
It was necessary to have an intervention otherwise the situation would lead toa domino effect, he said.
Dr Le Thi Phuong Tram said the Dong Nai General Hospital took a survey on thesalary doctors wished to receive each month.
Most said they wanted between 20-25 million VND (864-1,080 USD) per month.
To meet the expectation, the hospital is planning to diversify medical examinationand treatment to increase the income of the doctors, she said.
But many doctors said there’s more to it than money.
Director of the Thong Nhat General Hospital in Dong Nai Pham Van Dung saidapart from low incomes, there were other reasons for doctors seeking privateemployment.
Nguyen Hoai Nam of HCM City’s Medical University saidmany left their jobs as they no longer felt happy and comfortable with theworking environment.
Theincome was not the key factor for them leaving, he said.
Tang Chi Thuong said well-paid doctors still resigned as they had little chanceof studying abroad or doing research to improve their professional skills.
Bui Thanh Chi, former deputy head of the Hanoi -based Bach Mai Hospital, saidqualified doctors working at public hospitals like Vietnam-Germany or Bach Mairarely wanted to switch jobs to get more money.
A professional working atmosphere with research and advancement opportunitieswould be the key factor helping doctors devote themselves to their work, hesaid.
Health experts have suggested that the health sector needed to change a numberof policies and mechanisms to improve the income and professional skills ofhealth staff. This would help retain talented and qualified doctors at publichospitals.-VNS/VNA
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