Delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry: It is necessary to expand the concept of disease prevention and supplement specific policies for ethnic minority regions.

On the afternoon of November 10, within the framework of the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the Draft Law on Population and the Draft Law on Disease Prevention. Speaking at the meeting, delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Ethnic Council, the National Assembly Delegation (NAD) of Ca Mau province, expressed her agreement with many contents of the draft; at the same time, made a number of proposals to perfect the law in a synchronous, feasible and practical direction.

Delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Council for Ethnic Minorities, spoke at the discussion session on the afternoon of November 10.

The concept of disease prevention needs to be expanded to include non-communicable diseases.

Delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry said that the concept of "disease prevention" in the draft is currently limited to infectious diseases, not covering non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, which currently account for the majority of the disease burden in Vietnam.

She proposed to adjust Article 2 - Interpretation of terms in the following direction:

“Disease prevention is the application of measures to prevent and minimize the risk of the occurrence, spread and development of diseases in humans, including infectious and non-infectious diseases.”

According to delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry, expanding the concept helps to properly orient preventive health policies, in line with Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on strengthening the protection, care and improvement of people's health in the new situation.

Supplementing health policies for ethnic minority areas

Analyzing Clause 3, Article 3 of the draft, delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry agreed with the priority of developing primary health care in remote, border and island areas. However, she suggested adding the phrase “ethnic minority areas” to ensure comprehensive and practical policies.

“Many ethnic minority areas still face difficulties in accessing basic health services. Adding this content is necessary to fully institutionalize the ethnic policies of the Party and State,” delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry stated.

Delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry also proposed synchronizing preventive health policies with national target programs, creating conditions for people in difficult areas to receive regular health care and equality in enjoying health services.

Disease prevention communication needs to have ethnic language and eliminate bad customs.

Giving comments on Article 10 - Information, education and communication on disease prevention, delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry suggested that propaganda materials should be compiled and translated into ethnic minority languages ​​so that people can easily understand and implement them.

“It is necessary to promote the role of village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people to mobilize and change unhealthy habits and behaviors,” said delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry.

Delegation of National Assembly deputies of Ca Mau province at the discussion session at the Hall, 10th Session, 15th National Assembly on the afternoon of November 10.

Non-communicable disease prevention must cover new risk factors

Delegate Hoa Ry commented on Article 29 - Prevention and control of risk factors causing non-communicable diseases, saying that current regulations only focus on some traditional behavioral factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and lack of exercise.

She suggested that instead of listing specific factors, regulations should be open-ended to cover new factors in modern life, such as prolonged stress, excessive use of electronic devices, or indoor air pollution.

Strengthening disease prevention nutrition policies, prioritizing ethnic minority women

Referring to Chapter IV - Nutrition in disease prevention, delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry highly appreciated the draft but said that it is necessary to clearly stipulate nutritional measures for each age group and subject, especially pregnant women, children and the elderly.

Delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry also proposed adding a group of ethnic minority women with very few people to the priority list for nutritional care, even if they do not live in particularly difficult areas.

According to delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry, this regulation will specify the goals of the Program for the Protection and Development of Very Small Ethnic Minorities for the 2021-2030 period, contributing to improving population quality and reducing malnutrition in children.

At the end of her speech, delegate Tran Thi Hoa Ry emphasized: "When completed, the Law on Disease Prevention will be an important legal foundation to help proactively control epidemics, improve people's health and move towards sustainable development."

Source: https://www.camau.gov.vn/thoi-su-chinh-tri/dai-bieu-tran-thi-hoa-ry-can-mo-rong-khai-niem-phong-benh-bo-sung-chinh-sach-dac-thu-vung-dan-to-290734