HCMC – HCMC has paid over VND90 billion of the total amount to build 56 Covid field hospitals, but still owes VND193 billion to contractors.
Nguyen Van Truong, deputy director of the Management Board of Industrial and Civil Engineering Construction and Investment Projects of HCMC, told a working session with the HCMC People’s Council on June 14 that the management board was tasked by the municipal government with setting up 56 field hospitals citywide at a total cost of VND283 billion.
Most of these field hospitals were converted from apartment buildings, dormitories and schools, so the main expenses were poured into the installation of ventilators, breathing tubes, medical equipment, machines and oxygen tanks. Meanwhile, the health agencies covered the costs of beds.
The State Treasury of Vietnam has paid over VND90 billion of the total VND283 billion, accounting for 32%, said the representative of the board, adding that the board had already prepared construction files of 56 field hospitals and will request the city pay the remainder.
Since the pandemic has been brought under control, HCMC has shut down the majority of these field hospitals, while maintaining Field Hospital No. 13 in place, the local media reported.
