(VOVworld) – The Ministry of Health and localities will allocate 80 million USD to set up satellite hospitals to reduce the overload of centrally-run hospitals. The Ministry held a conference in Hanoi on Wednesday to implement this project until 2015.

Satellite hospitals will reduce the overload at centrally run hospitals. (Photo: thanhnien.com.vn)

Under the project, provincial hospitals will be approved as satellite hospitals, receiving upgraded facilities, professional training for staff, and technology transfer to enhance their medical capability so people will have access to better service in their own localities. Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said: "We have approved 48 provincial hospitals of 36 provinces as satellite hospitals for 14 nucleus hospitals, specializing in oncology, external trauma, cardio vasculum, obstetrics, and pediatrics. The plan is worth 80 million USD including 45 million USD sourced from the central government budget. This is a high determination from the Ministry of Health and localities given the tightened budget. We should make use of international funding, especially non-refundable assistance".