Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam urges solutions to boost health insurance coverage

The whole political system, as well as relevant Ministries and branches, should closely co-ordinate together to seek solutions to boost social and healthcare insurance coverage nationwide.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam speaking at the conference (Credit: VGP)
Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam speaking at the conference (Credit: VGP)

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam made the statement while attending a conference on the development of health insurance during the 2016-2020 period in Hanoi on June 29.

On the occasion, the Deputy PM and leaders of some ministries and branches pressed a button to launch the medial data portal and information assessment system of health insurance.

Addressing the conference, Deputy PM Dam extended his best wishes to agencies and individuals in the insurance sector on the occasion of Vietnam Health Insurance Day (July 1). He also urged the Vietnam Social Insurance (VSI) and Ministry of Health (MoH) to fulfill PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s target of reaching 90% health insurance coverage by 2020.

The VSI should direct local insurance agencies to advise the People’s Councils and People’s Committee at all levels in supporting health insurance participants as well as implementing drastic measures to achieve that target, said the Deputy PM.

He affirmed that the launching of the health insurance information assessment system was a historic moment for both the healthcare and information and technology (IT) sectors, bringing positive changes in medical checks up and treatment including reducing the pressure of social insurance staff and ensuring the accuracy in assessment and efficiency in management of health insurance as well as promptly paying for people covered by health insurance.

Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam added that unessential administrative regulations in health insurance management should be removed; while medical facilities need to improve the quality in medical check ups and treatment in order to consolidate the health insurance holders’ confidence.

In addition, he urged hospitals to computerise their management activities, serving the executive management of the health sector.

The Deputy PM also required press agencies, the MoH and VSI to enhance communication to bring the social and health insurance policies closer to the people.