Strengthening primary healthcare services

In recent years, along with the restructuring of the organizational apparatus and adjustments to administrative boundaries, the grassroots healthcare system in Thai Nguyen Province has seen many positive changes, gradually being strengthened and improving its operational efficiency. The role of commune- and ward-level health stations has continued to be affirmed as the frontline, playing an important part in disease prevention, medical examination and treatment, and community-based health management.

A seconded doctor (under the province’s 2026–2030 doctor secondment plan) at Van Han Commune Health Station provides medical check-ups for residents.

Van Han Commune Health Station operates at two locations, serving the medical needs of nearly 20,000 residents. Currently, two staff members of the station are studying to become doctors. Since April 2026, a doctor has been assigned to work at the station under a secondment scheme, helping further improve the quality of medical services and primary healthcare for local people.

Mr. Tran Van Son in Lang Hoa Hamlet, Van Han Commune, said: “I feel very happy that a good doctor has come to our commune to serve the people. I also hope that more good doctors will come to the locality to serve residents”.

In Bach Thong Commune, where three doctors are currently working, the Department of Health recently assigned an additional doctor under the province’s 2026–2030 doctor secondment plan, providing the locality with more human resources to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment.

Doctor La Thi Dao working at Bach Thong Commune Health Station shared: “When a doctor is assigned to a health station, there are many benefits. The greatest benefit is that local people can be examined and receive treatment advice very close to the doctor, which is very good”.

In recent years, Thai Nguyen’s health sector has implemented various coordinated measures to strengthen and enhance the capacity of commune-level healthcare. At the same time, it has advised the provincial People’s Committee to submit to the provincial People’s Council a resolution on policies to attract and support the development of the province’s healthcare workforce for the 2026–2030 period.

A doctor at Bach Thong Commune Health Station provides medical check-ups for residents.

Mr. Dang Ngoc Huy, Director of the Thai Nguyen Department of Health, stressed: “After the merger, 280 health stations previously under the health sector have now become 92 health stations operating under the model of public service units and under the management of commune and ward People’s Committees. When these units operate under the public service model, they need a team of capable healthcare staff to meet professional demands as well as the requirements of a public service unit. Therefore, we always create conditions for health sector staff in general, and commune- and ward-level health station staff in particular, to pursue further training to improve their professional qualifications. We also provide support for doctors working at health stations so that they can feel secure in their work and remain committed for the long term”.

However, in practice, many difficulties and challenges remain, especially in mountainous, remote and isolated areas, where transportation conditions are still limited and the areas under management are extensive. Meanwhile, healthcare personnel remain insufficient, facilities are not yet synchronized, and the workload at the commune level continues to increase.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang, Vice Chairwoman of the Van Han Commune People’s Committee, shared: “We hope that authorities at all levels will provide support to localities to attract human resources to contribute, devote themselves and work in the area, so that the health station can ensure the fulfilment of its 22 assigned tasks”.

Health stations are the closest healthcare facilities to local people and are often the first point of access to medical services. Ensuring sufficient human resources, especially qualified doctors, is a key condition for improving the quality of medical examination, treatment, and primary healthcare for the public.