Transfer of health stations to local administrative management Effective January 1, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will implement a significant shift in its primary healthcare management model. A total of 168 communal and ward health stations will be transferred from the Department of Health to the direct management of local People’s Committees. This strategic move aims to enhance the autonomy of local authorities and ensure that primary care services are closely aligned with the specific needs of each neighborhood.
For 25 regional health centers currently operating without inpatient beds, all personnel and assets will be integrated into the ward-level health stations, leading to the eventual dissolution of these intermediary centers.
Evolution of inpatient health centers into specialized hospitals The city has identified 13 regional health centers that currently provide inpatient services—including those in areas like Thuan An, Con Dao, and Ho Tram—for a phased transformation. While a portion of their resources will be allocated to local health stations, these facilities will maintain their clinical functions. The long-term plan involves upgrading these centers into autonomous hospitals or secondary campuses of major existing medical institutions.
Ensuring continuity of health insurance benefits During this transition, social security agencies are tasked with ensuring that patient benefits remain unaffected. The restructuring focuses on establishing ward health stations as the “primary contact point” for healthcare. By streamlining management and resources, the city expects to provide more efficient and continuous medical services, particularly for residents relying on national health insurance.