Long waits plague Ho Chi Minh City's only major cancer treatment center

Cancer patients in Ho Chi Minh City are enduring prolonged waits for radiotherapy as the region's primary oncology hospital struggles with overwhelming demand. Each morning, hundreds of patients arrive before daybreak at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital seeking treatment slots, only to learn that waits for radiotherapy can extend four to six weeks.

The delays stem from equipment operating at full capacity with limited resources to accommodate the steady stream of new patients. Hospital staff work at maximum efficiency, yet the volume of cases continues to outpace available treatment schedules. The extended waiting periods have prompted questions about patient outcomes and the adequacy of cancer care infrastructure in the southern metropolis.

The situation underscores broader challenges facing Vietnam's healthcare system as cancer incidence continues to rise. Ho Chi Minh City, with over nine million residents, relies heavily on this single major facility for advanced oncological care. Healthcare officials have not yet announced plans to expand radiotherapy capabilities or open additional treatment centers to ease the burden.

Cancer patients and their families have expressed frustration with the delays, which can prove critical given the time-sensitive nature of many treatments. The hospital's predicament reflects a growing gap between cancer diagnosis rates and the country's treatment capacity in its most populous region.