Having good health is fundamental to human well-being. It is considered that providing medical services might be more ethical if it’s not driven by profit motives. Although there are many valid concerns about the ethics of many profit-oriented organizations, I firmly believe that the benefits of private healthcare will bring many benefits to humanity.
Many believe privatizing the medical sector has certain disadvantages, and accessibility is the chief concern. Private healthcare organizations often own cutting-edge facilities and hire top-tier medical professionals. This inadvertently leads to disparities in access to care, with wealthier individuals receiving better services while lower-income individuals may struggle to afford necessary treatments. For example, Phap Viet Hospital is operated by a private corporation. With the benefits of high-quality services, it is considered one of the most expensive hospitals in Vietnam, costing 790,000 VND for a basic examination fee, rendering it unaffordable for many low-income families. In addition, there is a risk that the focus on profit can overshadow patient care, with the potential for over-treatment or prioritizing procedures that are more lucrative rather than those that are most beneficial to the patient, such as elective procedures or high-margin services might be promoted over preventive or less profitable care.
Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the advantages of private healthcare are more pronounced. Private institutions often drive innovation and the development of new technologies due to competitive pressures. Hospitals and clinics may offer cutting-edge treatments, skilled professionals, and state-of-the-art facilities, resulting in quicker access to care, reduced waiting times, and a broader range of treatment options. Moreover, Private companies can attract significant investment, potentially leading to well-funded facilities and advanced medical equipment that might not be available in a purely public system. And foremost, they play a crucial role in alleviating the strain on state-owned healthcare facilities during periods of high demand. To exemplify, during the COVID-19 epidemic, private hospitals are as supportive as state medical facilities in coping with the surging number of patients.
In conclusion, although private healthcare has its downsides, notably high costs, I believe the potential for higher quality services and personalized care make personal healthcare a valuable complement to public services.