Health ministry seeks to return $34 mln unused funds

Lawmakers expressed concern about the sum remaining unused, saying it could help workers in the health sector facing difficulties.

"Many workers have left the health sector recently and there are other issues," deputy chairman of the NA’s Social Committee, Dang Thuan Phong, said.

"If we transfer the health sector’s money to the transport sector, its workers will feel upset."

National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue ruled that the money should not be used for non-health purposes.

The amount accounts for 5.7% of the VND14 trillion the government allotted the ministry to fund 144 projects.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen told the House localities had been asked if they needed more funding, but none responded before the deadline.

The ministry therefore thought the money could be used to fund the Hoa Binh – Moc Chau Expressway and two other roads that are under construction.

Thousands of workers have quit state-owned medical facilities since last year, mostly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, after complaining of a heavy workload and low compensation.

On the contrary, private hospitals are developing rapidly and luring away personnel with more attractive working conditions, officials have said.