HCMC international hospital suspends operations over expiring license

A representative of Columbia Asia Gia Dinh International Hospital, the first private facility with 100% foreign capital in the city, said the operation duration of the hospital is expiring, as well as that of Columbia Asia Saigon International General Clinic, per the certificate by the Columbia Asia Vietnam company.

According to the license, the company must hand over all its fixed assets to Vietnam, without compensation, once the operating period runs out.

"This is why the company cannot extend its operating license," the hospital said. Customers can contact the hospital through emails to resolve any relevant issues, starting Feb. 1, it added.

The company has also sent documents to the Ministry of Health and the HCMC Department of Health to report on the matter and return the operating license.

HCMC is expected to continue using the location for health and diagnosis purposes.

The hospital was the first private one with 100% foreign capital that was approved for operation in Vietnam. It has been operating in the country for 25 years.

The main customer base of Columbia Asia Saigon International General Clinic, located in District 1, is the expat community in the southern metropolis.

Columbia Asia operates under the International Columbia U.S., LLC (ICU) and Columbia Pacific Management based in Seattle, running 29 hospitals and two clinics in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The company holds capital from American and Malaysian investors.