In response to the increasing demand for quality of life, Da Nang’s leaders and authorities at all levels are making efforts to accelerate the progress of key social welfare projects in the city to meet the satisfaction of the populace.

Many key projects are expected to be completed in the 2024-2025 period. IN THE PHOTO: Residents completing medical procedures at the Centre for Neurosurgery, Burns, and Plastic Surgery, the Da Nang Hospital. Photo: PHAN CHUNG

Several projects to be completed in 2024-2025

With the aim of becoming a 500-bed hospital by 2030, the phase 2 project of the Lien Chieu District Medical Centre commenced on December 30, 2023 at a total investment of VND 311.65 billion funded by the city budget. As of May 15, 2024, the construction progress of the project has reached about 8% and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.

Dr. Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of the Lien Chieu District Medical Centre, stated that the city has invested in building a new multifunctional 9-story building with a basement and an attic, covering a construction area of 1,695 square metres and a total floor area of 16,178 square metres.

As part of the project, deteriorated buildings will be dismantled, whilst external technical infrastructure systems will be relocated and connected to ensure the hospital’s operations.

In addition to infrastructure investment, the hospital will be equipped with medical and administrative devices worth about VND 130 billion, including an MRI 1.5 Tesla system, CT scanners, and multiple X-ray machines.

Dr. Nguyen Dai Vinh expects that upon completion, the project will improve the hospital’s service to the public, enhance disease screening and prevention, reduce pressure on higher-level hospitals, and attract and retain high-quality human resources.

According to the municipal Department of Construction, besides the Lien Chieu District Medical Centre project at phase 2, several other medical projects in the city will be completed and operational in 2024-2025. These include the Thanh Khe District Medical Centre at phase 1, expected to be completed in June 2024; the upgrade and renovation of the Da Nang Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital from 600 to 1,000 beds, expected to be completed in October 2024; and the investment and upgrade of the Hoa Vang General Hospital, expected to be completed in 2025.

As of late April 2024, the cumulative investment value for the Hoa Vang General Hospital upgrade project is about VND 17 billion, accounting for 4.5% of the total investment (VND 370 billion). The cumulative investment value for the Da Nang Odonto-Maxillo-Facial Hospital project since its commencement has reached VND 109 billion.

The construction work at the Hai Duong Kindergarten and the Le Thi Hong Gam Junior High School projects in Thanh Khe District is progressing rapidly in a bid to meet the schedule for the 2024-2025 academic year.

These two projects are being constructed at new locations within the same campus, replacing the old, degraded facilities to meet teaching requirements. A total of over VND 97 billion has been spent on the projects.

The Hai Duong Kindergarten will feature 11 new classrooms and 2 functional rooms, while the Le Thi Hong Gam Junior High School will have 20 new classrooms and 6 functional rooms.

A representative from the municipal Department of Education and Training stated that the city is closely working with relevant units to accelerate the completion of these two school projects and other educational projects. Currently, the numbers of educational projects under construction in districts of Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, Cam Le, Lien Chieu, Son Tra, Ngu Hanh Son and Hoa Vang are 2, 7, 2, 1, 3, 6 and 7 respectively.

With the efforts of local authorities in expediting construction, 30% of educational projects have been completed (62 projects); 14% are under construction; 26% have approved investment policies and are preparing for investment; and 30% are completing investment policy proposal documents.

These results help accelerate the implementation of plans to meet the educational sector’s infrastructure requirements, serving programmes such as "universal preschool education for 5-year-old children", "full-day primary school classrooms", "subject classrooms for general education", "building national standard schools", "new-style rural construction", "ensuring facilities for preschool and general education programmes for the 2017-2020 period", and "encouraging socialization in education".

The social housing project for revolutionary contributors on Vu Mong Nguyen Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District is under construction, expected to be completed by December 2024. Photo: THU HA

Caring for social welfare

In addition to healthcare and education, the city is also promoting the construction of social housing. According to the municipal Department of Construction, to implement the project “Building Social Housing for Families of Revolutionary Contributors Facing Housing Difficulties in Da Nang for the 2020-2025 Period” and achieve the goal of "gratitude and appreciation", a social housing apartment complex for people with meritorious services to the revolution on Vu Mong Nguyen Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, has already commenced and is expected to be completed by December 2024.

The project aims to support families of people who have contributed to the revolution, those in difficult circumstances without housing, or those with small living spaces but large households, by providing stable housing conditions. This will help improve their quality of life and ensure the goal that "Households of those who have contributed to the revolution have a standard of living equal to or higher than the average living standard of residents in the area".

The project covers a total planning area of 3,122 square meters, with the total investment of VND 223.8 billion. The project will consist of a 12-story building with approximately 209 social housing units. The building will feature elevators, modern architecture, synchronized infrastructure, and convenient living spaces.

According to Mr Phung Phu Phong, Director of the Department of Construction, the city is focusing on urging investors to accelerate the construction progress of five social housing projects (2,750 units); preparing for investment in a project (about 608 units) from the city budget; and calling for investment in three projects (about 3,519 units) from non-budget sources, all expected to be completed in 2024.

The city is also introducing land for the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour to implement procedures for a union facility and housing project (about 732 units) and adding plans to call for investment in 2-3 new projects in the 2024-2025 period.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Khanh Van, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Da Nang People’s Council, commented that the city’s investment in social welfare projects is a significant joy for the people. The completion and utilization of these projects contribute to the comprehensive improvement of citizens' quality of life, addressing the needs of not only Da Nang residents but also those in nearby provinces and regions.

The city’s comprehensive and diverse social welfare system enhances accessibility for various groups, especially those in difficult circumstances and social policy families, thereby affirming Da Nang's strategic role and position in socio-economic development and national defence and security.

Reporting by THU HA, MAI QUE - Translating T.VY