On July 9, the Department of Health of Dak Lak province said that by the end of 2025, the rate of people participating in health insurance (HI) in the province will reach about 95.2% of the population, approaching the target of universal HI coverage according to the Party and State's policy.
Besides the achieved results, the Department of Health also frankly acknowledges that the quality of medical examination and treatment between levels is still uneven. At some times, the situation of local shortage of drugs, chemicals and medical supplies still occurs, affecting the psychology as well as the level of patient satisfaction when examining and treating patients with health insurance cards.
According to the Department of Health, the main reason stems from difficulties in bidding and procurement due to fluctuations in supply and market prices.
In addition, some bidding packages could not select contractors, while regulations on procurement in the health sector are constantly being adjusted and supplemented, making it difficult to ensure the supply of medicines and medical supplies.
Regarding the HI drug list, the Department of Health said that this is a list issued by the Ministry of Health and uniformly applied nationwide, built on the basis of balancing the HI Fund, ensuring treatment efficiency and the fund's affordability.
Therefore, some new drugs, original brand-name drugs or drugs with high costs are currently not within the scope of payment or are only paid under certain conditions as prescribed.
Mr. Nay Phi La - Director of Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health - said that to overcome the shortcomings, the health sector requires medical examination and treatment facilities to improve the quality of forecasting needs, develop procurement plans, bidding for drugs, chemicals and medical supplies close to actual needs; ensure sufficient and continuous supply, and prevent prolonged shortages of drugs and medical supplies, affecting the rights of patients.
According to Mr. Phi La, the department will strengthen inspection and supervision of the supply, management and use of medicines and medical supplies; proactively regulate the source of medicines between medical examination and treatment facilities when local shortages arise.
In addition, the Department of Health will continue to closely coordinate with the Social Insurance agency in managing and using the HI Fund effectively. At the same time, summarize difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process to propose to the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Insurance to study and amend and supplement the list of drugs and medical supplies within the scope of payment of the HI Fund. Thereby, better meeting the treatment requirements and the reality of medical examination and treatment.
