Khuu Hue Nghi, a sophomore at a Ho Chi Minh City-based university, has devised a prize-winning innovative project with her mobile clinic, which aims to provide an alternative to long waits for medical examinations at HCMC hospitals.

Growing up in a remote area in southern Soc Trang province, Nghi understands her relatives’ and neighbors’ struggles to get a medical examination at the city’s hospitals, which are plagued by serious overcrowding.

They must take one or more days off from work, go to the hospital in the wee hours of the morning, and wait the next several hours or even the entire day for only a brief checkup.

As a potential solution to this problem, Nghi came up with the idea of establishing a mini clinic that operates out of a van.

She has encountered immense difficulties in the development of the project over the span of several months. A major in economics, she spent numerous hours learning about medical issues and how to financially operate such a vehicle in remote areas.

Nghi has conducted more than 120 surveys in several areas to find out about locals’ desires and habits regarding medical examinations.

She now hopes to find sponsorship for her project, which was featured on VTV9 channel earlier this month and won a local prize last year.