Ho Chi Minh City Health Stations Thrive with Traditional Medicine Integration

Ho Chi Minh City's local health stations are experiencing a remarkable resurgence, drawing in patients by offering a blend of traditional Vietnamese medicine and modern therapeutic practices. Facilities like the Gia Dinh Ward Health Station are seeing dozens of patients daily, seeking treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, and specialized physical therapy for conditions ranging from musculoskeletal issues to post-stroke rehabilitation. This integration is proving highly effective, offering a much-needed alternative and complement to conventional medical approaches.

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Patients come to the health station for treatment, traditional Vietnamese medicine physical therapy.

The appeal of these traditional medicine services lies not only in their efficacy but also in their affordability. With many treatments covered by Vietnam's health insurance (BHYT), the financial burden on patients is significantly reduced. This accessibility is crucial, particularly for elderly citizens like 75-year-old Ngo Thi Hoa, who found relief from chronic neck, back, and finger pain after a few weeks of treatment. Previously hesitant to seek medical help, she was encouraged by her grandchild to try acupuncture at the Gia Dinh Ward Health Station, where she received a combination of Đông y (traditional Eastern medicine) and Tây y (Western medicine) treatments.

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The cost of treatment at the health station is quite low and affordable for the people. Before I was eligible for discounts, I treated seven sessions with a total cost of about 85,000 VND. Now that I am over 70 years old, I am completely supported for free, making it convenient to continue treatment and no longer a financial burden.

Mrs. Hoa's experience highlights a broader trend: a growing trust and reliance on grassroots healthcare. Her treatment, which cost approximately 85,000 VND for seven sessions before she qualified for free care due to her age, demonstrates the economic viability of these services. Similarly, 55-year-old Lan Anh found relief from post-stroke symptoms and improved mobility through physical therapy at the same station. As more health stations across the city, including those in Linh Xuan, Binh Thanh, and Tang Nhon Phu wards, adopt similar models, they are not only improving patient outcomes but also rebuilding faith in the foundational level of the healthcare system.

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After a period of persistent acupuncture combined with exercise, symptoms such as dizziness gradually subsided, and mobility also became more flexible.