On Monday, Da Nang Department of Health Director Ngo Thi Kim Yen announced that the Ministry of Health had decided to delay public hospital fee hike in 10 nationwide localties, including Da Nang, instead of coming into effect early this month as previously scheduled.

The same statement was also made by Mr Pham Luong Son, Deputy General Director of the Viet Nam Society Insurance, at a press conference on the same day.

The delay in the increase of public hospital fees was passed at a meeting in June between representatives from the Viet Nam Society Insurance and the Ministry of Health.  The main reason is thought to be that the hospital fee hike can negatively affect the country’s Consumer Price Index.

Previously, it had been announced that the significant increase of medical costs would be applied in 10 cities and provinces where up to 95% of local residents have health insurance cards.   With the increase in hospital fees coming into effect, prices of around 1,900 medical services and products at public hospitals in these localities would surge sharply.