Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is striving
to build a sustainable, equal and effective to ensure that
all people get access to , said Deputy Minister of Health
Pham Le Tuan.
Speaking at a meeting of the
Health Partnership Group (HPG) held by the Ministry of Health and the World
Health Organisation (WHO) in Hanoi on May 15, Tuan said initial health care has
been a priority of the entire political system and the medical sector in
particular.
However, like other countries
worldwide, Vietnam is facing a range of challenges in ensuring the quality and
effective supply of initial healthcare services, the official said.
The building and reform of
initial health care, towards medical coverage for all people, must go in tandem
with the mobilisation of resources from social insurance, State and local
budgets, (ODA) and private capital, Tuan noted.
Phan Le Hang, Deputy Director of
the Health Ministry’s Planning and Finance Department, said the aging
population, burdens caused by non-communicable diseases, inequality in health
care and poor public awareness of disease prevention are among barriers and
challenges hindering the sector’s efforts to improve medical services at grassroots
levels.
A WHO representative pointed out
that Vietnam’s investment in initial health care accounts for less than 4
percent of the health insurance fund, suggesting the number should be raised to
30 percent.
Specifically, Vietnam should take
into account the growth of private medical services and utilise the system to
improve the quality of initial health care, the WHO representative said. -VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
