Historically, inadequate access to contemporary testing and diagnostic tools in local medical facilities compelled numerous patients in the Mekong Delta to seek treatment in more advanced hospitals, incurring additional time and financial burdens while exacerbating their health conditions and jeopardizing lives. Recognizing this challenge, a group of seasoned and committed medical professionals embarked on the establishment of Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital. Substantial investments in state-of-the-art imaging diagnostic machines, paraclinical testing equipment, and advanced systems have been made, enhancing the hospital's commitment to patient-centric care. This initiative aims to propel the development of the Can Tho health sector into a specialized medical hub within the Mekong Delta.

Dedicated medical professionals at Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital

Leading the way in paraclinical diagnosis

The Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital was established on December 23, 2017. The hospital boasts 40 beds and has two buildings with a total floor area of 3,891 square meters. Block A, spanning 6,706 square meters across seven floors, encompasses reception, medical examination registration, emergency services, CT scanning, MRI services, and other specialized areas. Simultaneously, Block B, a seven-floor structure covering 2,448 square meters, is dedicated to departments such as Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Oriental Medicine, Ophthalmology, and others. The hospital has made synchronous investments in auxiliary systems, including fire-fighting equipment, a 1,500 KVA generator, environmental conditioners, and wastewater and waste treatment facilities.

In mid-2023, the hospital initiated further development with the construction of a 7-storey Block C, with nearly 1,000 square meters of usable area. This block will house the administration office, pharmacy, and other essential units. The block is slated for inauguration in December 2023, coinciding with the celebration of the hospital’s 7th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Can Tho as a centrally run city.

With its current infrastructure, the hospital has crafted a secure, hygienic environment for examinations, treatments, and workspaces, ensuring comfort for patients, their families, and medical staff. The hospital received the "Hospital of Security and Order" accreditation from 2018 to 2022 by Can Tho City Police and the "Green Hospital" Certificate from the Vietnam Association for Environmental Economics (VASEE) and the Vietnam Consultant Association for Information - Economy - Trade (VCAIET).

Major General Vu Cao Quan, a member of the Board of Directors, emphasized the hospital's substantial investment of nearly VND500 billion. This investment primarily focused on acquiring, installing, and operating state-of-the-art specialized equipment, including paraclinical and diagnostic systems such as Cobas Pro biochemical and immunological analyzers, Idvia 2120i hematology analyzers, and WAKO testing machines for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma detection. The Department of Imaging-Functional Exploration is equipped with cutting-edge machines like ultrasound parenchymal elastography, tomosynthesis mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dual energy color CT scanners (160 and 640-slice). These scanners provide clear and accurate images of various human parts, including the vascular system and coronary arteries, allowing the hospital to achieve diagnostic precision comparable to the DSA technique. Images are stored on the PACS system, analyzed, and concluded by imaging experts at the Ho Chi Minh City Medic Center before being relayed to patients.

Since 2018, Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital has executed 1,765 technical lists, enabling timely treatments for patients without the necessity of transferring to higher-level hospitals, thereby saving considerable time and costs. The Ministry of Health has recognized the hospital as a medical facility meeting the rigorous conditions and standards for human resources, facilities, equipment, and modern services in Can Tho City and the broader Mekong Delta region.

The paraclinical diagnostic equipment system at Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital, a testament to cutting-edge healthcare technology

Enhancing administrative efficiency for elevated service capacity

In recent years, the hospital has prioritized the implementation of advanced management and administration processes to augment capacity, optimize work performance, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Specifically, the hospital has established a computer system seamlessly integrated with both internal networks and the internet, configured with precision for user accounts. In 2022, the hospital comprehensively upgraded the IT system to better serve the hospital's professional activities. The seamless connectivity and administration of LIS, HIS, and PACS systems have yielded commendable outcomes, notably the successful adoption of electronic medical records. The medical examination and treatment management software is intricately linked to transmit health-insured medical treatment and payment data to the online assessment portal of the Vietnam Social Security. Furthermore, the hospital has spearheaded a digital transformation plan, piloting health insurance examinations and treatments using chip-embedded citizen identification cards or the VneID application.

The hospital was awarded the “Certificate of ISO 15189:2012 Quality Management System Standards” by the Bureau of Accreditation under the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 4, 2020, for its effective implementation of quality management processes in accordance with ISO 15189:2012 standards. The hospital consistently applies, operates, and improves this system, aiming for the highest standards of management. Annual monitoring, evaluation, and recognition by experts from the Bureau of Accreditation under the Ministry of Science and Technology ensure ongoing compliance. Test results are recognized by domestic and foreign medical facilities. The hospital is continuing to build quality management records according to ISO 15189:2022 standards to be completed in 2024.

To elevate the quality of medical examination and treatment, the Medical Examination Department regularly conducts consultations, exchanges, and studies on special and complex cases. The department hosts scientific conferences, actively participates in all online seminars within the Medic system, and organizes debates on medical records and prescriptions to swiftly accumulate expertise. Annually, the hospital undergoes a comprehensive reform of the service and attitude of medical staff, actively refining and updating 172 processes, 252 treatment regimens, and associated documents to ensure patients receive the highest quality medical services promptly.

Diversifying services and operations

Since its establishment, Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital has developed specialized departments including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Pediatrics, and ENT, capable of accommodating 1,000-1,500 patients daily, providing comprehensive medical services to all, including health-insured patients. Over six years, the hospital has served 971,216 patients, with 60.5% being health-insured. This encompasses 17,713 emergency cases, 2,582 inpatients, 71,888 health checks, and 11,646 surgical cases. Monthly, the hospital receives over 14,000 patients, with 50% hailing from other provinces such as Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Ca Mau, and An Giang.

Since 2018, the hospital has established and put into operation the Health Examination Center. The center provides medical examinations upon request, consultations, and screening for early detection of cancer and other serious diseases. Additionally, the center has developed more medical examination, sample collection, and treatment services at home. Over the past four years, the center has provided medical services to 39,455 customers, including 4,808 individual cases and 46,719 cases for companies and agencies.

Beyond its professional endeavors, the hospital actively engages in social and charity activities in Mekong Delta provinces, fulfilling its responsibility to the community within the health sector. Particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak, the hospital coordinated and supported the medical force in Can Tho City, conducting 40,368 testing samples, 8,653 SARS-CoV-2 PCR samples, and administering 28,550 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations. Additionally, the hospital supported and donated medical supplies, equipment, and funds to the Departments of Health, hospitals, and field hospitals in Can Tho, Hau Giang, An Giang, Ca Mau, and Soc Trang, with a total value of nearly VND2.7 billion.

Noteworthy is the hospital's initiative to conduct three rounds of free medical examinations, and provide medicines and gifts in the Kingdom of Cambodia. General Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (incumbent Prime Minister), expressed gratitude during his visit to the hospital in January 2020, acknowledging the dedication of doctors and nurses at Hoa Hao-Medic Can Tho General Hospital for fearlessly addressing difficulties to provide examinations, treatments, and health advice for the Cambodian people.