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 centralhospitals, the basic medical services package at commune-level medicalfacilities will be implemented from December 2017.
The package, including prevention, consultation and treatment services for allcitizens, is fully covered by Vietnam Social Security (VSS).
According to the agency’s data, only 19 percent of health insurance cardholders register commune-level medical facilities as their initial places forexamination and treatment, while only three percent of the social insurancefund pays for medical services at those centres.
The shortage of services and skilled medical staff is the main reason for thisphenomenon. Therefore, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Vietnam SocialSecurity collaborated to develop this basic medical services package as asolution.
Thereby, people can access 76 basic services and 241 types of medicines atcommune-level medical facilities.
Through the package, diabetic patients, instead of going to hospitals, canreceive medicines at local medical centres.
Doan Van Bon, a diabetic patient in northern Hai Duong province, is interestedin this initiative. “Since the district hospital is seven kilometres away frommy house, I miss appointments sometimes. Therefore, it is more convenient forme that near-by medical centre start distributing necessary medicines,” hesaid.
Schools also stand to benefit from the policy. As kindergartens and primary schoolsare commonly located next to medical facilities, students can access bettermedical 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 motivateslocal medical facilities to enhance their capabilities.
With all expenses paid by the State budget and local budget, the initiativeaims to satisfy 70 percent of people’s healthcare demands at local medicalfacilities. At present, the related agencies are planning to review the qualityof medical services.
Moreover, Bằng recommended proposing further policies to support subordinatemedical facilities such as doctor rotation or satellite hospitals.
Vietnamese people have to pay 40 percent for medical expenses while, accordingto the World Health Organisation, a medical system becomes unequal when itrequires people to pay more than half of medical expenses. The reasonable raterecommended is 30 percent. Vietnam plans to reduce it to 35 percent by2020.-VNA
Through the package, diabetic patients, instead of going to hospitals, canreceive medicines at local medical centres.
Doan Van Bon, a diabetic patient in northern Hai Duong province, is interestedin this initiative. “Since the district hospital is seven kilometres away frommy house, I miss appointments sometimes. Therefore, it is more convenient forme that near-by medical centre start distributing necessary medicines,” hesaid.
Schools also stand to benefit from the policy. As kindergartens and primary schoolsare commonly located next to medical facilities, students can access bettermedical 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 motivateslocal medical facilities to enhance their capabilities.
With all expenses paid by the State budget and local budget, the initiativeaims to satisfy 70 percent of people’s healthcare demands at local medicalfacilities. At present, the related agencies are planning to review the qualityof medical services.
Moreover, Bằng recommended proposing further policies to support subordinatemedical facilities such as doctor rotation or satellite hospitals.
Vietnamese people have to pay 40 percent for medical expenses while, accordingto the World Health Organisation, a medical system becomes unequal when itrequires people to pay more than half of medical expenses. The reasonable raterecommended is 30 percent. Vietnam plans to reduce it to 35 percent by2020.-VNA
VNA
