Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on a number of breakthrough solutions, enhancing protection, care and improving people's health has just been issued, creating new momentum for the grassroots health sector and preventive medicine - the frontline force in community health care. The most important content is the special incentive policy, superior in vocational allowances, helping to improve income and attract human resources.
According to the Resolution, people who regularly and directly work in health care at commune-level health stations and preventive health facilities will have their preferential allowance increased to a minimum of 70%. In particular, the 100% rate applies to people working at commune health stations, preventive medical facilities in ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, socio-economic areas with special difficulties, border areas, islands, as well as people working in the fields of psychiatry, forensic medicine, forensic psychiatry, emergency resuscitation, pathology and other specific subjects suitable for socio-economic development conditions.
Along with the allowance increase, Resolution 72 stipulates that doctors, preventive medicine doctors, and pharmacists are paid from level 2 right after recruitment, instead of level 1 as at present. This is considered a breakthrough to improve income, encourage medical students to work at the grassroots level, where work pressure is high but benefits are limited.
The Resolution also orients the strengthening of international cooperation and integration, promoting research, application, transfer of techniques, science and technology; attracting good experts and foreign investment; at the same time sending students and medical staff for intensive training in countries with strong medical advantages. Funding will be guaranteed from scholarship programs, contributing to improving the quality of medical human resources.
Experts assess that the policy of raising the preferential allowance for medical care to 100% for those who directly work in disadvantaged areas or in specific fields will help retain human resources, reduce the situation of quitting work and rotation from the grassroots level. This is a timely solution in the context of increasing demand for primary health care, epidemic prevention and chronic diseases.
With Resolution 72, tens of thousands of commune health workers and preventive health facilities across the country will enjoy higher treatment, thereby working with peace of mind, contributing to the goal of consolidating and improving the quality of the grassroots health system, meeting the requirements of public health care in the new period.
