Organizational stability and seamless operations

Following the merger of commune-level administrative units as directed by the central government and the province, the Department of Health promptly reorganized commune and ward health stations. Across the province, 45 health stations and 84 satellite healthcare points were consolidated, ensuring the continuous provision of primary health care and public health services.

Since the merger, the grassroots health network has stabilized and begun to show positive results. At Sính Phình commune, residents still regularly visit the health station for medical services.

Giàng Thị Thu, a resident of Hamlet 1 in Sính Phình commune, shared: “I have high blood pressure, so I come to the commune’s Health station every month for check-ups and medicine. It’s nearby, convenient, and the staff are enthusiastic, so my family and others in the village feel reassured coming here for care.”

The Sính Phình commune’s Health Station has been equipped with proper facilities. Its functional rooms are well-arranged to meet professional requirements, and the medical staff are sufficient in both quantity and quality, improving the effectiveness of primary health care. As a result, the station has long served as a trusted destination for the public, especially for chronic patients like Ms. Thu who need regular check-ups and prescriptions.

Dr. Thào A Lồng, Head of the Sính Phình commune’s Health Station, confirmed: “We continue to carry out all our professional activities, such as medical exams, immunization programs, and preventive health services. There has been no disruption during the administrative transition. The station remains stable, and local residents continue to place their trust in our care.”

The Nậm Pồ Health Center is responsible for providing specialized and technical services in preventive health and population management for four communes: Mường Chà, Nà Bủng, Nà Hỳ, and Chà Tở. It also directly manages and guides operations at eight satellite healthcare points within these areas.

Dr. Lê Quang Điện, Director of the Nậm Pồ Health Center, said: “We focus on key tasks such as epidemiological monitoring, disease prevention, routine immunizations, and checking pharmaceuticals and medical equipment at local stations. This helps improve grassroots capacity and service quality. Maintaining satellite health points also reduces barriers to accessing healthcare, especially for residents in remote and ethnic minority communities.”

Strong direction, proactive Implementation

In response to the new requirements, the provincial Party Committee and People’s Committee have directed the Department of Health to coordinate with localities to review the entire network of health stations. The guiding principle is that each newly merged commune must have at least one fully functioning health station. Other stations will be reorganized based on actual conditions, either repurposed or converted into satellite sites to support mobile clinics, immunization efforts, and disease prevention.

The selection of central health stations was made carefully based on criteria such as central location, convenient transportation, high population density, standard infrastructure, and professionally qualified staff. In parallel, the department of Health has reviewed and restructured human resources to ensure that each station has at least one or two doctors working long-term, along with physician assistants, midwives, and population officers to meet the Ministry of Health’s standards.

To ensure proper infrastructure post-merger, the health sector has mobilized multiple funding sources, state budgets, national target programs, and social contributions, to upgrade and repair health stations. Many facilities have been equipped with new medical devices, internet connectivity, electronic health records, and integrated data systems for health insurance billing, contributing to the digital transformation of grassroots healthcare.

Phạm Giang Nam, Director of the provincial Department of Health, emphasized: “Maintaining the grassroots healthcare system after the administrative reorganization is not just about reshuffling health stations. It is a crucial step toward building a modern, people-centered health system. This is also a key task in implementing Resolution No.20-NQ/TW of the Central Party Committee on enhancing the protection, care, and improvement of public health. In the coming time, we will continue to refine the grassroots network for the 2025-2030 period by strengthening infrastructure, upgrading equipment, improving the quality of commune-level human resources, promoting preventive care, and advancing digital health solutions, ultimately forming a health system that is organizationally strong, sufficiently staffed, professionally capable, and service-oriented.”