Joint efforts needed to deal with urgent issues in medical sector: PM

speaks at the conference. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh
Chinh asked ministries, agencies and localities to step up their coordination
with the Ministry of Health to deal with urgent issues in the medical sector
while addressing a national teleconference on August 21.

The Government leader listed such issues that need to be
addressed first as procurement, bidding, investment, medical services under
health insurance and policies towards health workers.

Lauding achievements recorded by the health sector,
the PM stressed that health and life of people should be prioritised first and
that it is a need to develop both public and private health services.

Chinh urged efforts to concertedly and effectively
roll out COVID-19 prevention and control programmes, reiterating the pillars in
the combat – testing, quarantine, treatment, vaccine, treatment drugs,
technologies, public awareness and other measures.

Requesting a review and perfection of medical
institutions and policies for both short and long terms, the PM said resources
should be prioritised for the work.

He asked ministries and agencies to pay more
attention to policies towards , as well as grassroots-level and
preventive health care, and scientific-technological application in the sector.

The entire sector needs to take drastic measures to
handle the current shortage of medicines and medical equipment, he said, asking
the to coordinate with other ministries and agencies to
create transparent, feasible drug and medical equipment bidding mechanisms.

The leader ordered a strong revamp of medical
financing and insurance, speeding up public investment disbursement, and a
review of public-private partnership in the sector.

Acting Health Minister Dao Hong Lan reported at the
meeting that the national health coverage increased from 81.7% in 2016 to
91.01% last year, surpassing the target of 80% set by the National Assembly in
2020.

Notably, is among the countries with the highest
COVID-19 vaccine coverage.

On August 19, an additional 696,048 doses of
vaccines were administered, raising the total number to 254,094,673./.