On June 29, National Health Insurance Day (July 1) was celebrated by the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Social Insurance in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

In his speech, PM Dung underlined the need for the medical sector to define a specific roadmap for implementing an all-inclusive health insurance programme and override the current system’s weakness which has failed to encompass those Vietnamese with little or no money.

The PM also criticized the cumbersome administrative procedures for medical check-ups and treatment, which he claimed as an unnecessary trouble for patients.

To ensure the effective implementation of the healthcare insurance programme, Mr Dung said a revamp of all-levels of the current system and opening up dialogues on Health Insurance Law is essential.

The total number of participants in health insurance programmes needs to be transparent and incorporated into strategies and plans for socio-economic development, he added.

The number of people taking part in health insurance programmes increased from 5.6 percent in 1993 to nearly 64 percent or 57 million in 2011.

PM Dung also emphasized the importance of raising public awareness of taking out health insurance and improving the healthcare system to meet the growing demand for medical examinations and treatments.

Over the past years, Vietnam’s health insurance system has improved remarkably, particularly for the poor, social policy beneficiaries, children under six and those credited with revolutionary services.

Health insurance plays a critical role in national health policy and contributes to easing the financial burden of those who have insurance when they become ill./.