According to the provincial Department of Health, Điện Biên province currently has 186 private healthcare facilities, including 181 specialized clinics and 5 general clinics. Two of these general clinics - Thanh Hải and Bình An - have adopted health insurance services, enabling residents to access quality care while retaining their insurance benefits.

Nguyễn Châu Sơn, Head of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Practice Division under the Department of Health, emphasized that alongside the public healthcare system, the private healthcare sector in Điện Biên has been steadily growing, with increasing investments in human resources, infrastructure, and modern medical equipment. Its medical workforce actively engages in professional training, adopts advanced techniques, and continuously improves the quality of treatment, thereby attracting a considerable number of patients to seek medical care.

On average, the private healthcare system in Điện Biên treats approximately 141,850 patients per year, with nearly 89,000 of these cases covered by health insurance. This demonstrates the trust people have in private healthcare.

Given the specific nature of the field, the healthcare sector has implemented strict oversight of private medical establishments. Each year, the provincial Department of Health organizes both scheduled and unscheduled inspections, in coordination with relevant agencies, to monitor medical practices and ensure compliance with the law. These efforts contribute to building a transparent and reliable healthcare environment, supporting private facilities in operating with professionalism and integrity.

Sơn added that the handling of legal violations is carried out objectively, in accordance with the law and applied to the appropriate individuals and cases, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of state management. This contributes to fostering a fair and trustworthy medical environment, encouraging private healthcare providers to operate in a professional and responsible manner.

Established in 2009, the Thanh Hải General Clinic has become a prominent private healthcare provider in the province. Since 2016, the clinic has offered health insurance services, providing people with convenient and affordable healthcare options. Each day, the clinic sees an average of 200 to more than 300 insured patients, primarily from the city and nearby areas. The clinic employs over 90 healthcare professionals, including 34 doctors with postgraduate qualifications. Among them are 4 doctors recognized with honorary titles, 5 holding master’s degrees, and several specialists in fields such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory testing.

All doctors at the clinic also work at the Điện Biên General Hospital, ensuring both expertise and hands-on experience. The clinic regularly updates its medical practices, organizes in-house training, and invests in modern equipment to enhance service quality and boost patient satisfaction.

Mai Thị Thảo, a representative of the Thanh Hải General Clinic, held: “The initial investment came entirely from our own resources, covering both equipment and staffing. However, with a committed and forward-thinking approach, we’ve managed to earn the trust of the local community. Accessing government support policies for the private healthcare sector has also become increasingly convenient”.

Meanwhile, Quàng Thị Hạnh, a patient living in Mường Thanh ward, Điện Biên Phủ city, shared her experience: “The check-ups here are quick, and the doctors are very caring. With health insurance, all costs are fully covered. Sometimes when I am not feeling well, I only need to walk a short distance to get care, and there is no long waiting like at big hospitals”.

Despite their positive contributions, private healthcare facilities like the Thanh Hải Clinic still face numerous challenges - particularly in scaling up operations, investing in new medical equipment, and attracting high-quality personnel. However, with timely support from the health sector and strong community backing, private healthcare in Điện Biên has great potential for continued growth. Looking ahead, building a diverse healthcare system through effective collaboration between the public and private sectors will be a practical solution to improving healthcare quality, especially as the demand for medical services continues to rise.

By fostering a supportive environment and leveraging the complementary strengths of both sectors, Điện Biên is well-positioned to improve healthcare outcomes and build a more resilient, sustainable system for its residents.