Satellite hospital network enhances access to high-quality healthcare in Da Nang
DNO - The implementation of the satellite hospital project in Da Nang has helped improve the professional capacity of grassroots medical staff, as well as enabled residents to access high-quality medical techniques right in their locality. The project has significantly contributed to reducing the overcrowding of inpatient beds at higher-level hospitals.
Under the project, first-grade hospitals such as the Da Nang Hospital, the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, and the Da Nang Oncology Hospital have focused on practical training and the transfer of advanced medical techniques to doctors and medical staff at lower-level facilities. The intention is to enhance the quality of examination and treatment at the grassroots level.
According to the municipal Department of Health, the number of techniques transferred to satellite units has increased steadily each year.
In 2024 alone, the Thanh Khe Regional Health Center received 26 techniques, the Son Tra Regional Health Center 10 techniques, the Cam Le Regional Health Center 15 techniques, the Lien Chieu Regional Health Center 34 techniques, and the Nam Lien Chieu General Hospital 36 techniques transferred from the Da Nang Hospital.
In addition to the transfer of techniques, practical training activities at core hospitals have been carried out synchronously, helping 80% of the satellite units proactively apply the techniques they had received.
Dr. Tran Thanh Thuy, Director of the Da Nang Department of Health, assessed that the satellite hospital project has greatly contributed to enhancing the professional capacity of grassroots medical staff. Furthermore, many doctors, nurses, technicians, and midwives have mastered fundamental knowledge and clinical practice skills related to advanced and modern techniques.
Many techniques that were previously only performed at higher-level hospitals are now available at satellite units, including hemodialysis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendectomy, laparoscopic urinary stone removal, gastrointestinal endoscopy, and both basic and advanced emergency and intensive care techniques.
According to the municipal Department of Health, the implementation of the aforementioned project helps people access high-quality medical services at local healthcare facilities, reducing travel costs and alleviating pressure on inpatient beds at first-grade hospitals, especially the Da Nang Hospital.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Hai Chau Regional Medical Center noted that since joining the satellite hospital project, referral rates for transferred techniques have fallen significantly. In particular, the referral rate was 8.2% in 2022, it is projected to drop to 5.4% by 2025.