According to National Assembly deputies, the health sector needs to prepare carefully to soon implement this humane policy.
Priority one is serious illness, high cost
Speaking to Lao Dong reporter, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri, National Assembly Delegate of Hanoi City Youth Union, member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society said: "As a citizen, I feel very happy to hear that news. I fully support, look forward to and hope this policy will be implemented soon".
Responding to the conditions for Vietnam to be able to implement this policy, Professor Tri said that previously, conditions had not allowed it, so it was very difficult to implement. But up to now, we have gathered all the conditions: First, our economy has overcome the period of poverty and is on the way to development. GDP and per capita income both increased.
Second, the country's situation is stable. Basically, we no longer have to face problems such as war, epidemics... as before. Third, people's and society's awareness of health has changed. Health is now considered one of the top priorities in personal life as well as national policies. This helps create great consensus in society. Fourth, the legal system and policies are gradually changing towards more progress.
And finally, facilities and scientific and technological qualifications in the medical field have also improved a lot.
Regarding the solutions that need to be done to implement free medical examination and treatment early and effectively, Professor Nguyen Anh Tri said: The first thing is that the State needs to support medical examination and treatment costs through health insurance.
"It is impossible to separate health insurance (HI) from this system because HI covers most of the costs. Previously, the State has bought health insurance for policy beneficiaries such as the poor, near-poor, meritorious people... But the current insurance fee is still low, if it is doubled or tripled, the fund will be more abundant, patients will not have to pay more but still be able to use high-quality services," said Professor Tri.
The second thing, according to Professor Tri, is to group subjects to support. Priority one is those who are suffering from serious illnesses, are receiving long-term treatment, and have high costs. This can be done from 2026, without having to wait until 2030. Then there are the poor, the disadvantaged, families with revolutionary contributions, children under 6 years old, the elderly... Just like that, gradually carry out tasks until 2030, then have a long-term plan until 2050.
Third, the medical examination and treatment system must be well organized. We cannot have money but lack medicine, equipment, and medical supplies. In particular, medical examination and treatment must be organized as close to the people as possible.
Spending one dong as a reserve is equal to 100 dong for treatment
In order to proceed to exempt the hospital fee for the people of Assoc.
Answering to this issue, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, Chairman of the National Medical Council, said that by the end of 2023, the health insurance fund was VND 40,000 billion. This year, the health insurance fund is expected to increase. Currently, the health sector is oriented to amend the Law on Health Insurance, in order to specify a number of contents towards free medical examination and treatment for people. It is expected that in the coming time, our country will amend the entire health insurance law, including many contents focusing on medical examination and treatment for people, especially medical examination and treatment to screen and detect some dangerous diseases early.
Regarding the orientation for implementing this policy, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that from 2026 - 2030, it is expected that 90% of people will have full access to disease prevention and control services, improve health, and be fully vaccinated according to age and subjects. 100% of people receive a periodic health check-up once a year, and an electronic health book is established to manage their health throughout their life. An estimated 100 million people, with each health check-up costing about 250,000 VND, equivalent to 25,000 billion VND/year.
The State budget will increase support for buying health insurance cards to strive for 100% of the population to have health insurance. Gradually reduce the proportion of people's spending on total spending on medical services to below 20%, the co-payment of health insurance examination and treatment costs to below 10%.
Exemption from hospital fees for all people is a step forward for public health
"Every time I go to the hospital, I worry about money. Now I am very happy to hear this news. Not only that, with this policy, people can both reduce the burden of health care costs and access healthcare early. This also helps detect diseases early if any and treat them promptly, said Ms. Nguyen Thanh An (Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City).
According to Dr. Tran Van Song - Director of the 115 People's Hospital, this policy of the Party and the State expressed deeply interest in the health of the people. The authorities will carefully study to ensure the medical facilities have the best care conditions for patients. The patient will have access to the higher and higher quality of treatment. At the same time, there are solutions to ensure resources for health facilities to develop sustainably, with conditions to re -invest, upgrade modern equipment and machinery to keep up with the advancement of the world medicine, bringing the optimal treatment effect for patients.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tang Chi Thuong - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health - said that currently, the rate of people participating in health insurance is almost absolute. With this platform, it is completely feasible to aim for people to not have to pay for health care, health check-ups, and medical examination and treatment in the coming years.
Thanh Chan
