Radiotherapy service delays in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital is experiencing significant delays in radiotherapy services due to high patient volumes. The facility manages between 4,800 and 5,000 patients daily, with approximately 750 to 800 requiring radiotherapy.

Initial reports indicated that patients faced waiting periods of three weeks to one month. To avoid potential disease progression during these delays, some patients have opted to pay for private services to bypass health insurance queues. Similar delays have been observed at other facilities, such as Military Hospital 175.

As the situation progressed, hospital officials noted that despite machines operating continuously from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, a backlog remains. Dr. Vo Hong Minh Phuoc, Deputy Director of the hospital, stated that while 750 to 800 patients receive treatment daily, there are between 800 and 900 patients currently waiting. This high volume has resulted in crowded hallways and waiting areas, with patients and relatives often waiting late into the night.