Healthcare issues under discussion at NA’s sixth session

Deputy Nguyen Tri Thuc of HCM City speaks at the discussion on November 1. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Several were under focus at the discussion on socio-economic development at the on November 1,
part of the ongoing sixth session of the 15th legislature.

Pointing to an increase in the number of cancer patients,
deputy Nguyen Tri Thuc of Ho Chi Minh City cited data of the Union for
International Control as showing that Vietnam recorded over 182,000 new
cancer cases in 2020, and 60% of them required radiotherapy.

However, there are only 84 ordinary radiotherapy machines in
the country, meeting about 60 – 70% of the demand. Notably, there haven’t been
any proton therapy machines – the most advanced radiotherapy at present that minimises
adverse effects on normal tissues.

Therefore,
he proposed the Government establish a proton radiotherapy centre in Hanoi and
another in Ho Chi Minh City to improve the quality of .

Talking about the recent slow supply of pharmaceuticals, deputy
Nguyen Lan Hieu of central Binh Dinh province noted bidding in drug procurement
has been improved considerably, but the trading of consumable supplies remains
a big problem.

He
blamed the problem on the large number of legal regulations in this regard,
making it hard to concurrently meet the rules of many different ministries and
sectors when procuring. Besides, it is also difficult to purchase quality
supplies as some bidders are ready to commit frauds to win bids at low prices.

Hieu
proposed enhancing the requirements on warranty and technique transfer as only
suppliers of quality goods accept a warranty period of up to five years. He added
that these requirements will be useful for the health sector if they are facilitated
by detailed guidance documents.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan addresses the discussion on November 1. (Photo: VNA)

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said after nearly
three years of fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the health sector has
faced many difficulties, including the serious shortages of pharmaceuticals and
medical equipment and supplies at many healthcare establishments, the wave of
resignation among health workers, and problematic mechanisms and policies.

She cited a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as
saying that the shortages of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies is a
prolonged challenge in many countries, and have become even more severe during
and after the pandemic.

This problem has different causes, mainly the scarcity of material
substances and soaring prices worldwide.

In
that context, thanks to directions from the Party Central Committee, the NA and
the Government, the close coordination from ministries, sectors, and
localities, along with support from legislators, voters and the public, the
sector has strived to address difficulties and reform working methodology.

In
the long term, the health sector will invest efforts in fulfilling the set
tasks and targets, building and perfecting regulations and strategies,
improving the quality of health examination and treatment at all levels,
stepping up the prevention of infectious diseases, and resolving outstanding
problems pointed out by legislators, according to the minister./.