Ho Chi Minh City plans record $2.5bn investment in healthcare sector

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday conducted a supervision session on public investment in the city’s healthcare sector.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, said that the city carried out 168 public investment projects in healthcare during the 2016-20 and 2021-25 periods, with a total capital of over VND57 trillion ($2.16 billion).

For the upcoming 2026-30 phase, the department has proposed 100 new projects with an estimated total investment of more than VND66 trillion, marking the city’s largest-ever allocation in this field.

Of this, over VND64 trillion ($2.424 billion) will go toward healthcare, and more than VND2 trillion ($76 million) will fund social projects.

Among the new projects, eight are categorized as key investments, including a trauma hospital, a psychiatric hospital, a general training hospital at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, a hospital for tropical diseases, a hi-tech screening center, a proton therapy center, a radioisotope production facility, and the Binh Duong general hospital.

These projects are currently under review by the municipal Department of Finance for investment policy consideration.

In addition, four existing healthcare facilities are being considered for restructuring following the merger.

- Saigon General Hospital may become Gia Dinh People’s Hospital’s second branch

- Can Gio Medical Center may be restructured as the second branch of Tu Du Hospital, operating as a general hospital

- Nhieu Loc Medical Center is expected to be transferred to an overburdened facility, likely the Ear Nose Throat Hospital.

- Ho Chi Minh City Transport Hospital

Under the national merger strategy, which took effect on July 1, new Ho Chi Minh City was formed by merging the old city with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces.

Obstacles facing 10 ongoing projects

The municipal Department of Health reported that 10 healthcare projects are currently facing challenges requiring urgent resolution.

Several have been delayed due to contractor issues, including Gia Dinh People’s Hospital, the Hi-tech Treatment Center at Children's Hospital 2, Zone A of Trung Vuong Hospital, the renovation of the Ho Chi Minh City Odonto Stomatology Hospital, the second branch of Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, and Branch 4 of Psychiatric Hospital in the former Binh Duong Province.

Other projects are hindered by equipment and investment issues, such as the 1,500-bed general hospital complex in the former Binh Duong Province, the Thuan An Medical Center funded by contributions from firms and individuals, and the equipment procurement for general hospitals in Ba Ria and Vung Tau.

Also, the city's healthcare sector is grappling with land and property encroachment at 11 facilities, including the Traditional Medicine Institute, Hospital for Tropical Diseases facing seven households encroaching, Children’s Hospital 2 (30 households), and Ben San Hospital (164 households).

Strategic projects acknowledged

In his concluding remarks, Nguyen Phuoc Loc, deputy secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, praised the efforts of the municipal Department of Health and related agencies.

He noted that several significant healthcare projects have been completed and operational, enhancing public health services and hospital capacity.

Among the most strategically important projects already operational are Hoc Mon, Thu Duc, and Cu Chi General Hospitals, the phase 2 of An Binh Hospital, and the second branch of Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City affirmed its commitment to overseeing and evaluating public investment in healthcare, promising to monitor project progress and quality, while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness to public needs.

The committee will also advocate for solutions to unblock stalled projects and ensure they are completed and put to use.

Loc emphasized that as Vietnam’s leading medical hub, Ho Chi Minh City’s healthcare development is vital not only for its residents but for the southern region and beyond.

He urged all relevant units to maintain a spirit of responsibility and innovation, ensuring that every completed project delivers maximum public benefit.