Patient numbers at public hospitals continue to tumble
The number of patients checking in to receive advice and treatment at government hospitals continues to decline because healthcare services were lacking in quality. Minister of Health, Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong made the admission at a signing ceremony for construction of a patient’s service building at Mittaphab Hospital in the capital earlier this week. He said the nation needs to improve healthcare services to give patients confidence in the system. Unfortunately in Laos, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff still harbored old fashioned work practices as they did many years ago. This meant they didn’t take care of patients as their customers when seeking treatment at hospital, Dr Bounkong said. In developed countries, doctors and nurses take care of patients very well. They consult with patients immediately when they come to hospital, he said.
