The Central Party Office has just issued a Conclusion Notice by General Secretary To Lam at a working session with representatives of the Government Party Committee and central departments, ministries and branches on assessing the results of implementing the Central Resolutions on people's health care and orientation for work in the coming time.
Previously, at the regular Government press conference on the afternoon of May 6, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan gave basic information on a clear roadmap to 2030 and a vision to 2045, to move towards exempting hospital fees for all people, as directed by General Secretary To Lam.
The most notable point of this policy is not the word "free", but more importantly, it starts from the root of preventive health care, screening, early detection, chronic disease management, periodic examination, school health, reproductive health...
A healthy society cannot just wait until people are sick to take action. Having 100 million people have health check-ups each year, have electronic health records, be vaccinated and cared for right from the grassroots health care line... is the smartest and most cost-effective way to protect public health. Because each penny spent on preventive medicine can help save many times on treatment costs in the future.
Not stopping there, when the State gradually expands health insurance benefits, reduces the co-payment rate, and supports 100% of the population to participate in health insurance, it means that the social security system is moving towards more comprehensive and fair coverage.
Poor people no longer have to choose between medicine and meals, freelance workers no longer fear "mortal loss due to one hospitalization", and children in remote areas also have the opportunity to access medical services like children in the city.
In other words, hospital fee exemption is not only a health policy, but a decisive step to narrow the gap between rich and poor, promote social justice and increase national labor productivity.
Of course, to realize this dream is not simple. Not only does it estimate that about VND 25,000 billion is needed each year for regular health check-ups for the entire population, but the health system also needs to be comprehensively upgraded, from human resources, equipment to payment mechanisms, and insurance fund supervision. Along with that is the problem of allocating resources reasonably, avoiding the abuse of health services or taking advantage of insurance.
Therefore, it is important to have social consensus and the synchronous participation of the entire system, from the central to local levels, from medical facilities to the people. No one can stand aside from making such a humane policy.
Overall, the roadmap towards exempting hospital fees for all people is a sign that Vietnam is moving towards a new stage of development with health care as the foundation for prosperity.
Because after all, a strong country is not only because of high GDP, but when all people can live healthy, live with peace of mind, without having to worry that one day the disease can take away everything.
