In 2026, the face of the health sector is expected to have a strong shift thanks to Resolution 261/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly. Not only creating breakthroughs in health insurance policies for people, the resolution also focuses on removing difficulties in income, working environment and occupational safety for the medical staff - the force directly taking care of community health.
Expanding health insurance benefits
According to the resolution, the State will increase the rate and level of payment for health insurance medical examination and treatment costs; and at the same time use the Health Insurance Fund to spend on screening, diagnosis and early treatment of some diseases according to a roadmap suitable to socio-economic conditions, budget balance capacity and the Health Insurance Fund.
Notably, people from near-poor households and elderly people aged 75 and over who are receiving social pension benefits will enjoy 100% of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope of health insurance benefits. The rate of health insurance benefits for social policy beneficiaries, vulnerable people, low-income people and some other priority groups is also adjusted to increase.
In addition, the resolution allows piloting the diversification of health insurance packages, diversifying types of service provision and deploying supplementary health insurance provided by insurance companies when conditions are met, meeting the increasing needs of the people.
In parallel with the policy at the national level, from January 1, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will support 100% of health insurance contribution costs for many vulnerable groups according to Resolution 75/2025/NQ-HDND. The city budget will purchase health insurance for 6 specific groups such as leprosy patients, children from 6 to under 16 years old, poor households, near-poor households, newly escaped poor people, lonely elderly people with low incomes, people with dangerous diseases and some other vulnerable groups. In case one person belongs to many support areas, they will enjoy the highest level of support.
Doctors and pharmacists are started with grade 2 salary
According to Article 3 of the Resolution, doctors and pharmacists will be ranked starting salary from level 2 immediately upon recruitment into corresponding professional titles, applied until there is a new salary policy.
For people who regularly and directly specialize in areas with specific characteristics, pressure and high risks such as mental health, forensic medicine, psychiatric forensic medicine, emergency resuscitation, and medical surgery, the professional preferential allowance level is increased to 100%.
Medical staff working at commune-level health stations and preventive health facilities are subject to flexible regional allowances. Specifically, the 100% level is applied in ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, socio-economically disadvantaged areas, border areas and islands; the remaining areas enjoy a minimum level of 70%.
Ensuring safety and attracting grassroots medical personnel
The Resolution also stipulates strict handling of acts of infringing upon the body, health, life or insulting the honor and dignity of medical staff. Violators may be administratively sanctioned, criminally prosecuted, forced to compensate for damages and publicly apologize.
In addition, the recruitment conditions for commune-level health stations are relaxed in the direction of priority. People with appropriate practicing licenses and commitments to work for at least 5 years will be accepted without applying working time conditions, contributing to attracting and retaining human resources for grassroots healthcare.
Regulations on salaries, allowances and related policies will officially take effect from January 1, 2026.
