Readers wish to abolish referral papers for serious illnesses

Referral papers should be abolished for serious illnesses, but how can we prevent upper-level hospitals from going bankrupt?

Many readers said that to solve the problem of referrals, it is necessary to improve the capacity of primary health care facilities - Photo: THU HIEN

As reported by Tuoi Tre Online , on the afternoon of October 24, discussing the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance, delegate Nguyen Tri Thuc - Deputy Minister of Health - said that many delegates and voters proposed to eliminate referral papers between levels of the medical examination and treatment facility system.

However, in his personal opinion and that of many hospital directors, if abolished, it should only be abolished at the initial, basic level (where health insurance is first registered, district level). From these two levels to the advanced level (central hospitals and large, leading hospitals of the locality), there should be a referral letter.

He believes that removing referral papers to specialized hospitals could destroy the primary health care system and disrupt upper-level hospitals.

Eliminate referral papers for serious illnesses

Readers have many opinions about removing this referral form.

Reader Truong Ngoc said: "I had liver cancer and had surgery and have been receiving treatment and follow-up examinations at a central hospital for more than seven years now. However, every year at the beginning of the year, I am forced to return to the district hospital to request a referral to comply with regulations. This is absurd."

According to reader Hung Cuu, the current capacity of primary health care facilities cannot meet the demand, and treatment results are not very effective.

People have to suffer in terms of health and money. Therefore, it is necessary to consider which disease, which condition, which conditions to allow referral.

Reader Le Van Tam pointed out the difficulties and hardships in requesting a referral. Therefore, he supports abolishing the need for referrals for critically ill and sick patients.

To get a referral letter, you have to be present at the hospital to get it. People with terminal illnesses are tired and exhausted. If they can get rid of referral letters, they will have to travel less and save money,” reader Tam shared.

According to reader Huy Long: “Cancer patients are very tired and exhausted from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Every time they go to ask for a referral, the patient must be present. Sitting down with a tired body is so miserable!”

Reader with phone number 0916******11 hopes to eliminate the referral procedure for seriously ill patients, patients with serious illnesses when the primary health care facility does not have enough professional capacity and treatment equipment. This will help reduce cumbersome procedures, significantly saving costs and time for both patients and health care facilities.

Reader Minh Khang suggested that there should be clear regulations on some rare and serious diseases that do not require referrals. Then people will be able to come to the doctor early for timely treatment.

To keep the front line from breaking down

NAH readers said the reason for wanting to transfer is that people do not want to be examined and treated at lower levels.

"To put it bluntly, if people can't be cured, then of course they have to go to a better doctor.

People in my area do not trust the district level treatment here. Instead of going straight to the higher level, they will not miss the golden time to have a chance to live," reader H. said.

Reader Long said that not to mention the level of qualifications or facilities, the working attitude and procedures at grassroots health facilities do not meet the needs.

That is why people are afraid to move. However, many times they want to move but the procedures are too difficult, leading to unfortunate incidents.

Reader F. said that if you are afraid that the upper line will collapse, you should invest in a lower line that is as good and effective as the upper line.

Reader Tran Thi Ca offers a solution: this referral form can be made digitally. The primary hospital creates the form and sends it to the upper-level hospital through communication between the two hospitals (including initial medical information).

The transferred patient only needs to leave the base hospital after receiving the referral code and present this code to the upper level hospital.

This prevents the front line from being overwhelmed and patients and their families from having to suffer. Hospital staff and administrators are relieved of one administrative step.

Reader Vu Thanh Phong said that if the grassroots level of medical examination and treatment is good, people would not have to go to higher levels because when going to higher levels, they have to pay extra for transportation, food and other expenses.

The solution that needs to be implemented is to strengthen the medical team at the district level, increase medical examination and treatment equipment, train and transfer new medical knowledge, and expand the list of health insurance drugs at the district level.

Reader Hoang Thanh Tung added that when people participate in health insurance, their common expectations are to receive good care, good and modern medical equipment, high level of medical expertise... but these needs are all placed at the upper level.

“I recommend balancing more modern equipment, rotating (for a limited period) highly qualified doctors to provide professional guidance to lower levels...

"When the lower level fully meets the needs of the people, the referral paper has no meaning," reader Tung commented.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ban-doc-mong-muon-bo-giay-chuyen-tuyen-voi-benh-hiem-ngheo-20241025112844984.htm