Ca Mau Paediatrics and Obstetrics Hospital was the first hospital in the region to implement the satellite hospital policy. With 487,000 USD in funding and support from Ho Chi Minh City Children Hospital 1, the local hospital has implemented 9 technical packages. After five technical package delivered in the first phase of the programme, the quality of the treatment has significantly increased.
"After 2 years of implementing the satellite programme with Children's Hospital 1, the mortality and referral rates have both decreased. Individual technical packages such as mechanical ventilation have been transferred to us. Before the acquisition, the rate of ventilation survival was about 40%. After receiving the technical package, the rate of survival increased to 62%." - Le Mong Thuy, Head, Children Intensive Care Unit, Ca Mau Paediatrics and Obstetrics Hospital.
Until now, Ca Mau Paediatrics and Obstetrics Hospital has sent 30 staff to train at Children's Hospital 1. Another 300 doctors and nurses at the hospital have been trained on site. The quality of treatment at the hospital has also increased.
"I used to worry because I believed that if I went to hospitals in big cities I’d get better treatment. But hospitals in big cities are too crowded and far away, so I asked to get treatment back here. I think the doctors here are committed, the atmosphere is relaxed, too." - Le Kieu Hanh, Tan Hung Commune, Cai Nuoc District, Ca Mau Province.
According to Ho Chi Minh’s Department of Health, hospitals in the city receive nearly 40 million patients annually. 40-65% of them from other provinces. Therefore, the implementation of satellite hospital is necessary.
"First, we solved the problem of overcrowding in major hospitals. Secondly, we provide high standard treatment locally so they can treat patients on site. This will help underprivileged people who can’t afford to go to big cities." - Luu Anh Tai, Director, Ca Mau General Hospital.
"This is a correct policy, as it improves the quality of examination and treatments in Ca Mau Province. In the future we’ll continue to implement additional satellite hospitals for Cho Ray Hospital, the Tumour hospital and Tu Du Hospital in Ca Mau Province." - Huynh Quoc Viet, Director, Ca Mau Health Department.
According to Ca Mau’s Department of Health, the quality of examinations and treatments at these satellite hospitals is on par with central hospitals. In the coming time, serious diseases will be treated locally. This will lower costs and avoids unnecessary risks when transferring patients to big city hospitals.
