People to benefit from basic healthcare package

A local resident receives a health check-up at Thai Nguyen province’s Tan Huong commune (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – In order to reduce pressure placed on central
hospitals, the basic medical services package at commune-level medical
facilities will be implemented from December 2017.

The package, including prevention, consultation and treatment services for all
citizens, is fully covered by (VSS).
  
According to the agency’s data, only 19 percent of card
holders register as their initial places for
examination and treatment, while only three percent of the social insurance
fund pays for medical services at those centres.  

The shortage of services and skilled medical staff is the main reason for this
phenomenon. Therefore, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Vietnam Social
Security collaborated to develop this package as a
solution.  

Through the package, diabetic patients, instead of going to hospitals, can
receive medicines at local medical centres.

Doan Van Bon, a diabetic patient in northern Hai Duong province, is interested
in this initiative. “Since the district hospital is seven kilometres away from
my house, I miss appointments sometimes. Therefore, it is more convenient for
me that near-by medical centre start distributing necessary medicines,” he
said.

Schools also stand to benefit from the policy. As kindergartens and primary schools
are commonly located next to medical facilities, students can access better
medical services.

According to Le Van Kham, head of the Social Insurance Department under MoH,
that the basic medical services package also helps people save money and motivates
local medical facilities to enhance their capabilities.

With all expenses paid by the State budget and local budget, the initiative
aims to satisfy 70 percent of people’s healthcare demands at local medical
facilities. At present, the related agencies are planning to review the quality
of medical services.

Moreover, Bằng recommended proposing further policies to support subordinate
medical facilities such as doctor rotation or satellite hospitals.

Vietnamese people have to pay 40 percent for medical expenses while, according
to the World Health Organisation, a medical system becomes unequal when it
requires people to pay more than half of medical expenses. The reasonable rate
recommended is 30 percent. Vietnam plans to reduce it to 35 percent by
2020.-VNA