The healthcare sector in Ca Mau province is confronting severe financial challenges, as recent reports highlight a prolonged budget deficit directly impacting medical staff incomes.
The burden of mounting debt Statistics indicate that among 36 autonomous medical units in the province, four facilities are experiencing a significant fiscal imbalance. Total outstanding wages and allowances for personnel have now reached nearly 29 billion VND. Notably, a facility in Phước Long district accounts for over 16.1 billion VND in debt, covering clinical salaries and overtime pay dating back to late 2023. Other areas, including Giá Rai, Phú Tân, and Ngọc Hiển, report debts ranging from 3.8 to 4.8 billion VND.
Health insurance reimbursement bottlenecks A primary cause of this crisis is the delay in settling health insurance claims. Currently, the total unpaid insurance costs for the provincial health sector between 2018 and 2024 exceed 214.7 billion VND due to budget and fund overruns. When including unpaid amounts from 2025, the total financial obligation awaiting processing has surpassed 470 billion VND, placing immense pressure on daily operations.
Comprehensive restructuring plan To address these systemic issues, the Department of Health has proposed a new operational model for local medical centers:
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Phasing out old models: Five single-function medical centers will cease operations, with their duties transferred to grassroots health stations.
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Specialization: Eleven dual-function centers will be reorganized; preventive medicine will be moved to ward/commune levels, while clinical services will transition into regional hospital models.
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Staff redistribution: Approximately 400 permanent and contract staff members will be reassigned to local levels, along with medical equipment and financial assets.
The Department of Health has urged provincial authorities to expedite negotiations with the Social Insurance agency for debt recovery. Additionally, they have requested a temporary state budget advance to prioritize settling all outstanding salaries for healthcare workers through early 2026.