Ho Chi Minh City mobilizes elite medical forces to cover Con Dao

Information from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health on July 5 said that the Department had just held an important meeting with experts leading to discuss strategies to improve the capacity of the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center - a unit that has just officially become part of the city's health sector.

The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dr. Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health , with the participation of leaders of major hospitals, the Board of Directors of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine and functional departments of the Department of Health. This is the first time after the merger that the city's health sector has scientifically discussed the strategy for developing health care in Con Dao - a place that not only cares for permanent residents but also receives tens of thousands of tourists and officials every year.

Con Dao District Military Medical Center is facing difficulties in human resources.

Despite having invested in relatively modern infrastructure and equipment, the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center still faces major bottlenecks due to the shortage of specialized human resources. Handling emergency situations, sea accidents, childbirth, dialysis, etc. is always a constant concern for both residents, tourists and investors on the island.

Faced with the above situation, the Department of Health has prioritized the task of improving the medical capacity of Con Dao immediately after the merger. structured, in phase 1 (implemented from the third quarter of 2025), the city's health sector will organize rotations of specialist doctors to the island in fields such as Obstetrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics; combining remote consultations and online continuing education (CME).

The main goal is to build safe obstetrics on site, reducing dependence on expensive and risky transport by ship or helicopter. The health sector also prioritizes strengthening emergency capacity in special situations such as marine accidents, tourist accidents and emergency needs of children and the elderly. In parallel, building an on-site blood bank is also an urgent matter, serving obstetric and surgical emergencies.

In phase 2, the health sector will develop a comprehensive project with specific policies for Con Dao health care, aiming to form a general hospital of appropriate scale on the island. It is expected that Con Dao will have enhanced professional links with major hospitals such as Hung Vuong, Nhi Dong 1, Binh Dan, Nhan Dan Gia Dinh... In particular, medical universities in Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate to develop a residency training program with rotational practice in Con Dao - both improving the quality of human resources and creating an ideal field environment to train the next generation of doctors.

The Department of Health will conduct a field survey in Con Dao to develop a specific implementation plan. It is expected that on the occasion of National Day, September 2, 2025, the first group of specialist doctors from Ho Chi Minh City will officially work in Con Dao - starting the journey to bring high-quality healthcare to the remote island.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/tp-hcm-huy-dong-luc-luong-tinh-nhue-phu-song-y-te-den-tan-con-dao-1019087.html