Ho Chi Minh City Health Department Receives Over 1,000 Complaints, Legal Violations Lead

Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health has processed more than 1,000 public complaints and recommendations in the first half of 2026, with healthcare-related legal violations topping the list. The department reported on July 13 that its digitized system, launched six months prior, has received 1,035 submissions and resolved 1,029 cases.

The complaints primarily focused on legal infringements within the healthcare sector, accounting for 285 submissions. Other significant areas included online public services and administrative procedures (145), the service attitude of medical staff (98), the quality of medical examinations and treatment (93), examination and treatment processes (76), and healthcare costs and health insurance payments (54).

These public submissions are not only seen as indicators of citizen interest and expectations but also as crucial tools for the management agency to promptly identify shortcomings in healthcare operations and service delivery. The department has digitized all feedback, categorizing it by sector, facility, severity, processing time, and emerging trends. This data is visualized on a real-time dashboard, enabling early risk detection and the identification of facilities generating numerous complaints for timely corrective actions.

A special task force convenes daily to analyze public feedback, review responses from healthcare facilities, and assess the root causes of each issue. While many problems are resolved at the facility level, systemic issues are aggregated to inform management and policy improvements. The department highlighted that numerous complaints have led to the identification of legal violations, prompting investigations and disciplinary actions. Complex cases or those with criminal implications are actively coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department.

The department views public feedback as a vital social oversight mechanism that protects patient rights, prevents malpractice, and enhances the transparency and accountability of the healthcare system. The digitization of complaints is a key step in its data-driven management strategy, moving beyond individual case resolution to evaluating facility performance and informing policy decisions. The ultimate goal is to build a modern, transparent, and citizen-centered healthcare system.