The figures were 226 and 17 in January and April 2022, respectively, according to a report by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

The report shows that since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, Hanoi’s healthcare sector has had to ensure pandemic prevention and control, and implement its regular tasks. The pressure on health workers has been huge. 

Meanwhile, the pay to medical workers at public units is lower than that in non-state healthcare units. As a result, many medical workers have resigned or transferred to other jobs which can bring higher income.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has warned that if the pandemic recurs, or a new coronavirus variant appears, which can spread rapidly, the situation would be extremely serious. If there is no reasonable wage policy for doctors and medical workers, Hanoi would not have enough workers to fight the pandemic. 

The Hanoi Healthcare Department has submitted a document to the Hanoi People’s Committee and the Standing Committee of the People’s Council on the issuance of a resolution on financial support for doctors and medical workers with simple procedures.

The Hanoi People’s Committee affirmed that the last time, when Hanoi experienced four COVID-19 outbreaks with complicated developments, medical workers were ready to perform their tasks and devote themselves to the fight, thus ensuring social security and helping recover the economy. Setting up a timely and satisfactory remuneration mechanism is necessary to recognize their efforts and contributions to the fight against the pandemic.

The People’s Committee stressed that this is a long-term solution to improve the quality of healthcare services.

HCM City also reported the mass leave of medical workers in the city. About 400 workers resigned from their jobs within the first three months of the year.

A representative of the HCM City Healthcare Department at a press conference in early April said because of Covid-19, the economic situation and sources of revenue of hospitals and medical centers have declined.

Linh Giao