HCMC – A lack of human and financial resources has impeded the progress of digital transformation and smart healthcare programs at hospitals, a representative of Hung Vuong Hospital said.

Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, director of Hung Vuong Hospital, said her hospital has applied a smart healthcare program that was developed in July last year, but has not yet achieved targets. She was speaking during a meeting with the HCMC People’s Council held yesterday, October 19.

Hospitals have built IT infrastructure, set up administrative programs and established an IT department. However, it is hard to recruit enough IT staff as their salaries are way below average, Tuyet noted.

So far, the IT department at Hung Vuong Hospital has only two employees. “The hospital has advertised job openings all year round, yet the department has vacancies. There were applicants from time to time, but the hospital could not employ,” she said.

Information security and data safety are critical, as hospitals may face a lawsuit if patient data is leaked, Tuyet said, adding that apart from staff shortages, a lack of information security equipment is prevalent across hospitals due to its high price.

Thus, the director proposed raising salaries and offering perks for IT people to woo talent.