Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha has just signed a document to the Vietnam Social Insurance, the Ministry of Finance, the Departments of Health of the provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong and related medical examination and treatment facilities to implement timely measures to prevent interruption of medical services during the flood period.
According to the Ministry of Health, the Departments of Health need to mobilize maximum human resources to support medical examination and treatment facilities, ensuring that health insurance examination and treatment activities take place continuously and promptly. Localities must clearly guide the organization of medical examination, treatment and appropriate coordination and referral for people in areas affected by floods, landslides, or traffic disruption.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes the requirement not to let patients be left out, delay emergency care, affecting their health and lives.
Depending on actual developments, the Department of Health is responsible for proposing solutions to handle arising situations, reporting to the Provincial People's Committee to maintain stable operations of medical examination and treatment facilities, while ensuring adequate medicine, supplies, and medical equipment for treatment.
The Ministry of Health has issued many guidelines to create maximum convenience for people with health insurance cards in disaster areas, specifically:
Receiving patients even if they cannot check their health insurance card: In case of power outages or Internet outages due to storms and floods, medical facilities must receive health insurance patients first, then check the card information when the system is back up.
Allowing data sending late: If floods and rains make it impossible for medical facilities to send data on medical examination and treatment on time according to Circular 48/2017/TT-BYT, the unit is allowed to send late and must notify the social insurance agency for coordination in handling.
The review appointment is still valid when patients arrive late: Patients arrive later than the review appointment due to flooding are still accepted and medical examination and treatment services are paid for by health insurance normally.
People can have examinations outside the initial registration place: If the storm and flood make it impossible for people to go to the correct initial medical examination and treatment registration facility or cannot do referral procedures, they are allowed to see a doctor at the nearest appropriate facility, in the commune or province, and do not need a referral form. Patients' health insurance benefits are still fully enjoyed.
The Ministry of Health proposes that Vietnam Social Security direct provincial Social Insurance to coordinate with local health agencies and medical examination and treatment facilities to implement solutions to support people.
The goal is to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing health services, especially in the context of natural disasters that cause many difficulties for people's lives and health.
