Revolving fund for purchasing health insurance

The revolving fund model for purchasing health insurance in Tan Hoi commune is helping many disadvantaged women maintain their health insurance cards, reduce the financial burden of medical examinations and treatment, and spread the spirit of mutual support in the community.

Launching the revolving fund model for purchasing health insurance in Ta Em hamlet. Photo: THUY TIEN

In rural, border, and island areas of An Giang province, purchasing health insurance cards used to be a major concern for many families. Due to the unstable income from farming and fishing, the cost of medical treatment when ill always became a significant financial burden. Understanding these difficulties, women's associations at all levels in the province have developed various models to help female members afford family health insurance. Some organize monthly contributions, others raise funds through piggy banks or by collecting and selling plastic waste.

These contributions, though small, have collectively provided practical support to many households. The models have also helped to foster saving habits and a proactive approach to participating in family health insurance within the community.

Once a month, members of the revolving fund for purchasing family health insurance in Tan Hong hamlet, Tan Hoi commune, gather for a meeting and contribute 300,000 VND to the fund. This fund prioritizes supporting disadvantaged members in purchasing health insurance first, then continues to be rotated to other cases. Beyond providing material support, the model also contributes to changing people's perceptions of the role of health insurance in healthcare. "Before, when we heard about paying several million VND at once for health insurance for the whole family, we hesitated because of our difficult circumstances. Since joining the model, we save a few hundred thousand VND each month and have health insurance cards for the whole family," shared Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Huyen, a resident of Tan Hong hamlet.

The health insurance card from the revolving fund group in Ta Em hamlet, Vinh Dieu commune, has become a solid "lifeline," helping women members in the border region feel secure in their work and production, easing the burden of medical expenses when they unfortunately fall ill. According to the Women's Union of Vinh Dieu commune, Ta Em hamlet has a large ethnic minority population, whose lives mainly depend on agricultural production and small-scale trading, resulting in low incomes. Paying a large sum of money at once to buy health insurance for all family members is always a difficult problem. Understanding this difficulty, the Union mobilized the establishment of a revolving fund group to purchase health insurance. Each month, each member contributes a fixed amount of 200,000 VND. The entire amount collected each month is given to the most needy member or the member whose health insurance card is about to expire.

The value of this model lies not in the amount of money but in the voluntary spirit and sense of responsibility of the community. Without requiring large funding, this approach is bringing practical value to poor and disadvantaged women every day. “For the model to be effective, transparency in fund management is crucial. All contributions and support are clearly announced during meetings to build trust among members,” said Ms. Tran Thi Nhan, head of the revolving fund group in Ta Em hamlet.

The revolving fund model not only helps women members access health insurance but also fosters community cohesion. Through community activities, women members have the opportunity to share experiences in business, family care, child rearing, and support each other in overcoming difficulties.

THUY THAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/gop-von-xoay-vong-mua-bao-hiem-y-te-a487400.html