Vietnam authorities are soliciting private investment in healthcare projects. Given the lack of public resources, PPPs has been seen as one of the effective solutions to promote healthcare development.

At a workshop on PPPs in healthcare held in Hoh Chi Minh City, Do Quy Hiep, deputy head of the department’s division said HCM City plans to invest about VND30 trillion (US$1.32 billion) in PPPs during 2015-2020, of which 12 percent will serve healthcare. 

According to sources, the city has seven planned healthcare projects which need VND5.5 trillion (US$240 million). However, the city can afford just half of the planned projects, so there is need for private investors.

Construction works ware set to begin on 10 other PPP projects as of last March, including the construction of the Trauma and Orthopedics Hospital, District 7 Preventive Health Centre, Tân Bình District General Hospital and a testing centre for the Phạm Ngọc Thạch Medical University.

Truong Vinh Long, healthcare managing director at Hoa Lâm Corporation, said the current ratio of beds to 10,000 population in the country was 26, lower than the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 33.

The Ministry of Health was seeking more private investment to improve the ratio, he said.