Vinh Linh women help each other buy health insurance

Vinh Linh Women's Union presents health insurance cards to members on International Women's Day March 8 - Photo: T. N

Receiving a health insurance card from the Women's Union of Trung Lap village, Vinh Long commune, on International Women's Day, March 8, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong (born in 1978) could not hide her joy. More than anyone, she understands the meaning of this gift. "My husband is often sick and hospitalized, and my children are all in school, so the family's finances are difficult. Therefore, I always consider buying health insurance for myself even though I know that I am the main breadwinner and risks and illnesses can strike at any time," Ms. Huong shared.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Dong, Head of the Women's Association of Trung Lap village, a health insurance card previously cost 972 thousand VND, now it is 1.264 million VND. For many rural families, that is a large sum of money. Therefore, women really appreciate the health insurance card when given to them.

Since its inception in 2016, this model has received positive responses from many women in the area. Since then, the model has been maintained regularly each year, giving one member in need 1 million VND to buy a health insurance card.

In order for the model to be successfully built and sustainable, the Women's Union of Vinh Long commune has set targets and provided specific guidance on methods and implementation. In particular, it focuses on disseminating knowledge about the Law on Health Insurance to 100% of members, helping members clearly understand the meaning and social benefits of participating in health insurance. After that, a fundraising campaign was launched to buy insurance for members in more difficult circumstances. Fundraising is carried out in the form of collecting scrap metal to sell and raising piggy banks for savings.

Up to now, 11 women's associations in the commune have established funds, with an average of 3.2 - 5 million VND/year for each association. From the savings, the associations have reviewed each subject with difficult circumstances, poor health but unable to participate in health insurance to help.

“Giving health insurance cards to women members in difficult circumstances not only promotes the spirit of mutual love and solidarity, members helping each other in life, but also helps reduce the financial burden on members’ families and women in difficulty when they are sick or ill. Perhaps because of this practical meaning, the movement is always maintained regularly,” said Ms. Vo Thi Hai, President of the Women’s Union of Vinh Long commune.

For Vinh Tu commune, the savings model to support members to buy health insurance cards has also been implemented since 2016. With a relatively large number of members (957 people), the health insurance card support activity has also created an enthusiastic response and has been maintained regularly for many years. To do this, every year, the association levels have counted the number of members and women who have not bought health insurance, found out the reasons... from there, there are timely support directions.

Ms. Tran Thi Thu Dong, President of Vinh Tu Women's Union, said that most of the women are farmers, have low income, so life is difficult, many people hesitate to buy health insurance cards. In fact, in previous years, the Women's Union of the commune has also mobilized to set up a fund to provide emergency support whenever members encounter difficulties, illness or misfortune.

However, this approach is only temporary and not sustainable. It is important to create conditions for women to receive regular health care and have access to the best medical services.

Therefore, immediately after receiving the directive plan from the higher-level association, the association implemented a savings model to support members in purchasing health insurance cards and received enthusiastic responses from the branches. Accordingly, the branches encouraged members to "raise piggy banks" at home.

Every year on October 20, the women gather together to “open the piggy bank” to see how much they have saved over the past year. On “opening the piggy bank” day, each member will voluntarily contribute from 50,000 - 100,000 VND to buy 1 - 2 health insurance cards for members in the branch.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, President of the Women's Union of Vinh Linh district, the practical significance of the activity has attracted enthusiastic response and participation from members. The district Women's Union has called on all levels of the union to replicate the model of supporting members in difficulty with health insurance cards, depending on the actual conditions of the unit. The model operates flexibly according to each union base, some places connect with charitable organizations and individuals, some places mobilize members to contribute according to their capabilities..., in which the popular movement is raising "Piggy Bank" and collecting scrap from the "Green House" model.

In 2024 alone, from this savings source, women's unions at all levels in the area awarded 112 health insurance cards to members with a total amount of more than 154 million VND.

Thuy Ngoc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/phu-nu-vinh-linh-giup-nhau-mua-bao-hiem-y-te-192722.htm