Improving the quality of healthcare in remote areas

Implementing the Ethnic Affairs Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, Thai Nguyen province has implemented many health policies for ethnic minority and mountainous areas. From perfecting mechanisms, investing in grassroots health care to expanding health insurance, maternal and child health care, etc., thereby gradually narrowing the gap in access to health services between advantaged and disadvantaged areas.

The application of modern techniques, advanced technological solutions and the dedication of the medical team at Bac Kan General Hospital has contributed to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment for the people. Photo: TL

Pay attention to policies and regimes for staff

Based on the resolutions and plans of the Central and the province, the Thai Nguyen Department of Health has thoroughly instructed the entire sector to consider health care in ethnic minority areas as a key and continuous task. Major policies such as Resolution No. 10/NQ-CP on Ethnic Work Strategy; regulations on the demarcation of ethnic minority and mountainous areas; programs to improve people's health... are all concretized into implementation plans suitable to the conditions of each locality.

The health sector closely coordinates with all levels, sectors and organizations in implementing ethnic policies; requires cadres from the province to the grassroots to enhance their responsibility when working in remote areas and safe zones.

The province fully implements the regime for medical staff working in particularly difficult areas according to the Government's regulations. The system of allowances and career incentives helps staff feel secure in their work, contributing to improving the quality of services right at the grassroots level.

Doctors at Ba Be Medical Center have mastered many new techniques, helping to improve professional quality.

The health sector also focuses on training and professional development, especially for ethnic minority staff. The province currently has more than 3,100 ethnic minority health staff, accounting for 47.2%. This is an important force in communication, understanding customs, supporting propaganda work and health care for the people.

At Luc Binh Medical Station (Phu Thong Commune), Doctor Dong Thi Tuyen said: The medical staff wishes to participate in many training courses to improve their skills, thereby serving the people better.

Strengthening the grassroots health network

In the period of 2021-2025, the province's health system will be improved in a streamlined and effective direction. Primary health care in ethnic minority areas and safe communes will be given priority for investment. The whole province currently has 1 central-level hospital, 8 provincial-level hospitals, 20 district-level health centers and 280 commune health stations.

Bach Thong Medical Center staff check the health of the elderly.

In particular, 100% of commune-level health stations have been solidified, meeting the national criteria, helping people in difficult areas to access primary health care services more conveniently. The provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) is ranked first and is among the top in the country in meeting national standards for preventive medicine, making an important contribution to disease prevention and control...

The rate of villages and hamlets with regular medical staff continues to be maintained, effectively supporting communication and health consultation to each household. Mr. Nong Van Dong, Head of the Population - Communication Department (Pac Nam Medical Center), said: Thanks to the synchronous implementation policy, the awareness of people in the Pac Nam highlands has improved significantly. Communication work is enhanced by small group activities, skills training for village cadres and women's associations.

Health insurance policy is a key solution to support people in disadvantaged areas. The health sector coordinates with the Social Insurance and localities to promote and mobilize people to participate in health insurance. The whole province currently has nearly 1.6 million participants, reaching 93.3% of the population, with the target of 95% by 2025; 100% of medical examination and treatment facilities have connected to the electronic assessment portal, creating convenience for patients when using health insurance.

People of Phong Quang commune are examined by doctors at higher levels using modern equipment right at their locality.

Ms. Dang Thi Mai, a Dao ethnic in Cho Don commune, shared: thanks to health insurance, going to the doctor is less expensive, and having a medical station near her house is very convenient.

Sharing the same opinion, Ms. Trieu Thi Mui, Na Ri commune, said: Thanks to regular check-ups, her joint pain has improved significantly, helping her health to be more stable in the past two years.

Implementing Project 7 under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas, the Thai Nguyen Health Sector has implemented many activities to improve population quality, improve nutrition, and prevent child malnutrition. The rate of underweight children under 5 years old among ethnic minorities has decreased to about 9.4%.

The policy of supporting ethnic minority women from poor households when giving birth in accordance with population policy continues to be implemented. From 2015 to now, Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan provinces (before the merger) have paid support to 5,549 subjects with a total cost of more than 11 billion VND.

Medical staff came to the homes of people in Khau Ca village (Cam Giang commune) to guide them on postpartum care for mothers and children.

Ms. Truong Dieu Linh, Khau Ca village, Cam Giang commune, shared: After giving birth, I was visited by health station staff at home to examine and guide me on how to take care of mother and baby, helping me feel more secure in the first days.

Many solutions to improve service quality

Despite many achievements, health care in ethnic minority and mountainous areas still faces many challenges: People's access to specialized medical services is limited. Some health stations lack equipment and specialized human resources.

Backward customs and practices and inadequate awareness of nutrition and reproductive health have resulted in slow improvement of many health indicators. Investment resources for primary health care are limited, and policies to attract health workers to remote areas still need to be improved. Propaganda work is sometimes not close to the culture and language of each region, and is not very effective.

People of Cao Minh commune are examined and treated with health insurance.

Based on the review results for the 2021-2025 period, the health sector has proposed many solutions to improve the quality of health services in ethnic minority areas in the coming period. The province aims to increase the health insurance coverage rate to over 95% by 2026 and towards universal coverage by 2030.

The grassroots health network will continue to be strengthened, ensuring that 100% of commune-level health stations have adequate facilities, equipment, and human resources; striving to have 4-5 doctors per station by 2027. The rate of health examination and treatment covered by health insurance at the commune level will increase to over 20%.

The Department of Health recommends that the Central Government maintain and improve support policies for medical staff in disadvantaged areas, and at the same time, request the province to prioritize resources for grassroots health care. Mr. Dinh Manh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, said: The early completion of regulations on the functions and tasks of health stations and health centers will help the industry have a basis for effective implementation, contributing to improving the quality of health care for people, especially in remote areas...

With specific and synchronous steps from policy to implementation, the health policy for ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Thai Nguyen continues to be effective, creating a foundation to improve health, improve life and promote sustainable development in areas with many difficulties.

Resolution No. 72 NQ/TW dated September 9, 2025 of the Politburo sets the goal of protecting, caring for and improving people's health, considering grassroots health care as the foundation and people as the center. In particular, developing health care in remote, isolated and ethnic minority areas is identified as a priority task.

The resolution sets a target that by 2026, people will have regular health check-ups or screening at least once a year, health insurance coverage for over 95% of the population, and move towards universal health insurance by 2030. For primary health care, 100% of commune health stations must be invested in facilities, equipment, and human resources, each station must have at least 4-5 doctors, and at the same time increase the rate of people using health insurance examination and treatment services at health stations.

Key solutions include strengthening preventive medicine, improving facilities, increasing human resources and special treatment policies for medical staff in disadvantaged areas, mobilizing social resources and budget for synchronous investment, implementing digital health, electronic health records, combining traditional medicine with modern medicine, and promoting education, health communication, and proactive disease prevention.

The resolution emphasizes that implementing these solutions will reduce the gap in healthcare between advantaged and disadvantaged areas, helping people in remote areas easily access quality healthcare services, and improve public health.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/y-te/202512/nang-cao-chat-luong-y-tevung-kho-413390a/