HCM Citys eastern region has seen an increasing number of hospitals being built to meet the demand for healthcare in the area.

Besides three major public hospitals approved by the Government, the Hoan My Thu Duc International General Hospital on Highway 1K, Thu Duc District, is under construction by the Phu Tho Group and Hoan My Medical Corporation, Viet Nams largest private healthcare network.

Phu Tho Group has invested in many large private hospitals around the country meeting international standards, such as the Dong Nai International Hospital, Vinh International Hospital, Hoan My Sai Gon International Eye Hospital, and others.

Ministry of Health statistics show that Vietnamese have so far spent nearly US$2 billion to go to other countries for treatment.

So more international standard hospitals are being built to reduce the need for going abroad for treatment. They provide high-quality healthcare and also help build a reputation for the countrys medical sector.

The Hoan My Thu Duc International General Hospital, whose construction started last year and which is expected to open at the end of this year, will for instance be equipped with the most modern medical equipment and facilities to help develop speciality departments and for scientists to do research.

It also will have on its payroll many leading medical experts, researchers and other highly skilled personnel.

It will have 500 standard beds and 16 departments including surgery, ENT and others. It will offer the most advanced cancer treatments available anywhere in the world.

It will help turn the citys eastern region into a high-quality medical hub offering healthcare services to both locals and people living in neighbouring provinces like Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

To cost VND1.2 trillion ($51.7 million), it is being built to luxury hotel standards.

It is expected to help solve the overcrowding at hospitals in the citys inner districts.

A hospital spokesperson cited a report by the World Bank and Ministry of Planning and Investment as saying the expenditure on healthcare in the country accounts for 5.8 per cent of gross domestic product, adding private healthcare services would continue to grow.