Background

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Health, only 28.3% of people conducted their medical examination and treatment at the Commune Health Centres. By 2017, it had decreased to only 19.9% and, even more so, in the first six months of 2018 had decreased to 18.5%. In other words, most patients prefer not to use medical services from the Commune Health Centres preferring to utilized those better equipped. However, the fact remains that healthcare facilities at this level of locality an important cornerstone of the healthcare system. They are crucial as they are easily accessed with relatively low cost and relieve patient overload issues for other healthcare facilities.

Our Approach

In order to improve the accessibility of quality healthcare services in rural areas, our foundation has contributed to the construction of the Tri Luc Commune Health Centre in Thoi Binh District in Ca Mau province in 2008 and at the Tan Thanh Binh Commune at Mo Cay Bac District in Ben Tre province in 2010. Apart from infrastructure, medical equipment and a portion of funding was granted to enhance the capacity of local medical staff.

In 2009, Tri Luc Commune Health Center achieved a national standard of healthcare facility with over 7,800 person-time using its services. On the other hand, Tan Thanh Binh Commune Health Center was upgraded to the level of a polyclinic in 2012 serving people not only in this commune but also surrounding ones having served around 17,500 patients.

“I am very happy that the commune has such a nice and convenient health center. We have good doctors, good medicine, and adequate medical examination and treatments. It is certainly getting better.”, Ms. Ho Thi Khoi – a community member from Tan Long hamlet in Ben Tre province said. Her daughter, Ms. Le Thi Tho, continued: “I went to work in Ho Chi Minh City then got married and gave birth. My child is now 8 months old but since I gave birth no one has reminded me to go get a medical examination for myself and the baby... Now, I have returned to live in my hometown and my child is well taken care of by the local doctors, I am very satisfied. "