1,000 patients await surgery as Ho Chi Minh City's largest cancer hospital overwhelmed

The Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, the city's largest cancer treatment facility, has around 1,000 patients waiting for surgery and 700 for radiation therapy though it is working at maximum capacity. Dr Diep Bao Tuan, its director, said Wednesday the number of patients continues to rise sharply, causing persistent overcrowding despite the opening of a second campus.The first is in Gia Dinh Ward (formerly Binh Thanh District) and the second in Tang Nhon Phu Ward (formerly Thu Duc City). Patients wait for medical examinations at Branch 2 of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital in June 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran In 2025, the hospital recorded more than 1.08 million outpatient visits, 22% higher than in the previous year.Patient numbers are expected to grow by 10-15% this year, with 75% of patients coming from outside Ho Chi Minh City.On average, the hospital performs 40,000 surgeries annually and runs 350,000 chemotherapy and 200,000 radiation therapy sessions.Its two campuses have 27 operating rooms where doctors perform 150 surgeries a day, including after scheduled working hours and during weekends.Tuan said the rising incidence of cancer is not unique to Vietnam and reflects a global trend.Most cancer patients in southern Vietnam seek treatment in HCMC, putting increasing pressure on the hospital, he said.Cancer surgery is more time-consuming and technically demanding than many others, and so the number of patients waiting for surgery and radiation therapy remains high even after working at maximum capacity, he said.The average waiting time for both is about three weeks.Tuan said the delay mainly affects patients psychologically. Emergency cases and patients with rapidly progressing cancers are prioritized for early surgery, while less urgent cases have to wait."Patients with a tumor often experience tremendous anxiety while waiting. We hope that additional treatment facilities in the future will reduce the waiting time to just a few days."The hospital has asked city authorities allocate land in Ba Ria Ward in the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province for the construction of a third campus.But the investment in additional operating rooms, medical equipment, and machinery face lengthy procurement, appraisal, and bidding procedures, its director said.The hospital is considering expanding cancer screening and early detection programs as a long-term solution.Tuan said Japan began implementing nationwide cancer screening programs more than 70 years ago, helping reduce treatment of advanced-stage cancers.The hospital is participating in the Ho Chi Minh City's universal health screening campaign while expanding cancer screening initiatives to detect the disease at earlier stages.The ongoing campaign is an intensive, city-wide drive with free medical check-ups and creation of electronic health records for all.Under the agreement, the oncology hospital and An Sinh Hospital will collaborate on consultations for complex cases, workforce training, technology transfer, scientific research, and cancer screening programs.Mai Van Dien, director of An Sinh, said while his hospital does not yet have a dedicated oncology department, it does receive patients seeking cancer diagnosis and treatment and offers palliative care.He hoped the partnership would enable his patients to benefit from the skills of the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital and facilitate research and the adoption of advanced treatments, including immunotherapy and stem cell therapy.