Nam Thang Long Hospital is one of three hospital that the Government permits to suspend equitisation. — Photo vicare.vn

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has approved the Ministry of Construction’s proposal on suspending equitisation of three hospitals, according to the Government Office.

The deputy PM’s office issued letter 2753/VPCP-DMDN on March 23 in which it mentioned three hospitals - Nam Thang Long Hospital, Vinh Transport Hospital and Transport Hospital in Da Nang.

In early 2017, the ministry sent a letter to the Government in which it proposed suspension of the equitisation of these three hospitals,chinhphu.vn reported.

A leader of Nam Thang Long Hospital quoted by Nguoi tieu dung (Consumers) newspaper as saying that equitisation would convert the public hospital into a for-profit entity, meaning it would only serve those patients with adequate financial ability, instead of those having low and medium incomes. At present, the hospital has been satisfactorily calling for more financial resources outside the State budget.

Meanwhile, Vinh Transport Hospital and Transport Hospital in Da Nang have been able to manage their own financial matters this year. The Ministry of Transport has, therefore, asked for a suspension of their equitisation to let them operate with financial autonomy. — VNS