Tuyen Quang is a mountainous province with a large area, many highland and border communes with people of 22 ethnic minorities living, and difficult socio-economic conditions.
In that context, the provincial health sector determined to "stick to the people, stick to the village", closely coordinate with the government and local forces, health care work has had clear changes, VNA reported.
Creating a foundation, improving service quality
In recent years, Tuyen Quang has focused on consolidating the grassroots health network. The whole province maintains 100% of communes, wards, and towns with health stations; the rate of people participating in health insurance reaches over 95%, creating favorable conditions for people, especially in mountainous areas, to access services. The province also focuses on improving the capacity of the staff, strengthening doctors at the grassroots level, and maintaining professional support from higher levels.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Du, Director of Vi Xuyen Regional Medical Center, improving the quality of medical examination and treatment at the grassroots level is a key factor to create trust. The Center regularly sends staff to support, transfer techniques, and bring appropriate services to the commune level.
Along with expertise, service attitude has been clearly improved. Medical facilities guide procedures, explain disease conditions, and provide clear and easy-to-understand treatment advice, helping people feel secure when coming for examination.
Ms. Luong Thi Hien, Director of Thanh Thuy Commune Health Station, said: "We always explain specifically so that people understand the disease and health insurance benefits. When respected and guided wholeheartedly, they are no longer afraid.
Thanks to that, the number of people coming to health stations is increasing, contributing to reducing the burden on upper levels and saving costs.
Proactively bringing healthcare closer to the people
In mountainous areas, the barrier is not only geographical distance but also awareness. The health sector determines not to wait for people but to proactively "find people".
Health officials coordinate with the government, police, and border guards to organize direct propaganda in villages and hamlets, focusing on environmental sanitation, nutrition, vaccination, maternal and child health care, and guiding the recognition of disease signs.
Ms. Han Thi Lap, Deputy Director of Pa Vay Su commune health station, said that when there is coordination from forces, people trust, listen and follow. Activities not only take place at the cultural house but also reach each household.
The method of "going through every alley, knocking on every door" has helped change perceptions. Many people proactively go to the doctor immediately when there are abnormal signs.
Mr. Ma Van Trung, Giang Nam village, Thanh Thuy commune, said that in the past, people often treated themselves at home, now they have gone for examination earlier and feel secure when they are examined and consulted clearly.
Communication work continues to be promoted, combining direct counseling with community activities, contributing to forming a habit of proactive disease prevention. The application of information technology in health management and monitoring is also gradually being implemented, helping people in remote and isolated areas access services more conveniently.
Reality shows that improving the health of people in mountainous areas is not only the task of the health sector but also requires the involvement of the entire political system. When grassroots healthcare is strengthened, propaganda goes deeper, people have access to close services, trust will be strengthened, creating a foundation to narrow the gap in healthcare between regions.
