People now have less confidence in the medical sector at the grassroots level (Photo: VOV)
(VOVworld) – The National Assembly on Friday discussed the implementation of policies on health insurance from 2009 to 2012 with many deputies affirming that health insurance is one of the keys to ensuring social security. To date, approximately 70% of the Vietnamese population are insured. To improve the quality of medical check-ups and treatment, the state budget for the sector should be increased. Nguyen Thu Anh, a deputy from the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, suggests:

“I recommend that the NA continue to increase funding for the medical sector to provide fairer and more effective healthcare for everyone. Over the past few years, the government has invested a great deal in the sector, but has not yet met the need for more hospitals and preventive health care.”

The deputies agreed on the need to use the state budget more flexibly to realize medical insurance targets. Pham Thi Hai, a deputy from Dong Nai province, comments:

“We need to invest in medical equipment, especially equipment to treat life-threatening diseases and technologies for hospitals at district and provincial levels. Regarding allocations of the medical insurance fund for provinces, we need to use the remainder of the fund to reinvest in localities so local people can benefit more fairly from medical insurance while encouraging them to buy insurance.”

The state underwrites 45% of the country’s total health insurance fund.