Uncollected tax may be key to never-ending corruption
Last week, Viet Nam News asked its readers about bribing at large crowded hospitals, the faiths of patients and their relatives about the miracle of envelops which give them faster treatment and suggestions to eliminate the situation. Here are some responses: James Godber, British, Ha Noi
| Next week: Under the national master plan to improve the teaching and learning of foreign languages during the 2008-20 period, most students from Viet Nam's colleges and universities would be expected to speak English or another foreign language upon graduation. The plan aims to help Vietnamese students use foreign languages in their research, communication and studies – part of the nation's strategic efforts to improve the quality of high-skilled workers. At an E-conference held earlier this week, education officials called for a renewal in the foreign language teaching method, especially for English, so that students would be more comfortable using foreign languages in real life as a critical tool rather than using them to achieve in exams only. However, many people question the plan's feasibility since only 45 out of 63 provinces and cities have established plans to improve the teaching of foreign languages since the plan was approved three years ago. Even major cities have to face shortages of qualified teachers and use teaching materials that do not meet international standards. In your opinion, what can be done to improve the teaching of foreign languages, especially English, at Vietnamese universities and colleges? What can the Government do to boost the nation's foreign language capability? Do you think Vietnamese schools and universities should start thinking about delivering other subjects in English? We welcome your opinions. Emails should be sent to: opinion.vietnamnews@gmail.com – or by fax to 84 (0) 43 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Viet Nam News, 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. Replies to this week's question must be received by Thursday morning, October 27. |
Public hospitals in Ha Noi and throughout the country are overcrowded and understaffed and this is an issue that needs urgent attention. In private hospitals, the culture of offering bribes to receive better treatment is non-existent, and for obvious reasons. The staff are well-paid, there are plenty of rooms, and of course, the patients (or their insurance companies) have already paid a hefty premium to be there, in stark contrast to public hospitals.
Who can really blame an underpaid member of staff for accepting a few thousand dong to offer slightly preferential treatment? The problem is that this has now become common practice, and in most cases, is expected. Patients and their families are scared that if they don't offer money, they will become less of a priority, and as always, it is the poor that suffer.
In Britain, the National Health Service is a publicly funded system that provides a wide range of services, the majority of which are free. If Viet Nam wanted to set up a similar system, the Government would have to start getting serious about income tax.
In the meantime, it will be interesting to see the results of the pilot scheme, but I won't be holding my breath.
John MacDonald, Australian, Ha Noi
Who knows what economists are about! They go into regular flaps, like punters, backing this or that solution to crises. But, the thought has occurred to me that there may actually be a small to medium argument for what amounts to corruption, that is, the acceptance of or demand for money in return for official favours from a variety of public servants - hospital workers, police, teachers and so on.
The tax gathering techniques of several Asian countries leave so much to be desired, that just how much revenue is pulled in to the public kitty from businesses and individuals must be a trickle.
This might explain the rash of splendid, marbled houses in the cities of so-called poor nations - and other ostentatious displays of wealth, such as tripping off to Bangkok for cosmetic surgery.
If this is where "tax" money goes, then maybe there is little choice but for unpaid or poorly paid public servants to take a little for themselves! After all, if there is little to spread around because of tax avoidance, then the rule of the jungle takes over.
Am I being too cynical?
Truong Bich Ngoc, Vietnamese, Ha Noi
As a regular patient at a big crowded hospital, I am not surprised at the cash gifts that are made every day in our hospitals.
There are many reasons why patients bribe their doctors: it can free them from waiting in a long queue for check-ups, it can mean getting test results faster or using a better treatment room, and it can lead to early surgery or simply just getting advice from doctors and health staff.
To be honest, many patients follow the unofficial system so that they are not ignored. And doctors, who get a low salary compared to the stressful job they're doing, can't say no to cash gifts forever.
In my case, taking gifts to doctors was a way of saying "thank you" for every successful treatment. There are no specific laws stipulating the difference between bribing and showing gratitude towards doctors who do their best to save patients' lives. Both doctors and patients feel happy.
However, I think, there should be strict regulations preventing all medical staff from receiving cash gifts or even gifts from patients and their relatives. Violators should be fined or even fired if necessary.
I assume that the Government has policies to support doctors and health staff while it builds more high-quality hospitals, especially in big cities, to serve the demands of the people.
Trinh My Binh, Vietnamese, Ha Noi
Bribery at leading hospitals is an unfortunate consequence of high demand and insufficient resources. I do believe that the act of bribing doctors and medical staff proves that people have lost their confidence in healthcare services, believing bribery is the only way to ensure that they will be treated with the speed and accuracy they deserve.
I have experienced treatment in both large hospitals and private ones, and the thing I've noticed most is the difference in the attitudes of doctors and health staff. Doctors at leading hospitals seem to be less enthusiastic and friendly than those at private ones. The attitude, accidentally or intentionally, usually makes patients and their relatives worry. To rid themselves of this unease, they are ready to give doctors ‘bonuses'.
Patients and their relatives have also contributed to creating the culture of bribery at hospitals. A friend of mine tried to bribe a doctor just to feel safe about her treatment. When the doctor refused the money, she thought that the money might be not enough and tried to give him more. After getting a second refusal from the doctor, she felt so insecure about the treatment that she decided to switch to another hospital.
I strongly believe that together with stricter laws, which would punish doctors and health staff who accept money, patients and their relatives must stop offering the enticement. Just believe in the healthcare system and, if you don't feel comfortable, choose another doctor for the job. — VNS