Vietnam approaches the goal of universal health insurance coverage

(Dan Tri) - It is expected that by the end of 2024, more than 95.4 million people, equivalent to more than 94% of Vietnam's population, will be protected by health insurance.

The above information was announced by a representative of Vietnam Social Security at an international workshop on strengthening cooperation and improving capacity to implement social insurance and health insurance policies in the new development period on November 21.

A representative of the Vietnam Social Security said that by the end of 2024, the number of people participating in social insurance is expected to reach more than 20 million, an increase of more than 18 million compared to 1995, equivalent to nearly 43% of the workforce. This figure is close to the target of social insurance coverage of 45% of the total workforce by 2025.

Vietnam is approaching the target of social insurance coverage for 45% of the total workforce by 2025 (Photo: Van Quan).

According to the social insurance agency, the number of people participating in unemployment insurance will exceed 16 million, accounting for about 34% of the total workforce (an increase of more than 10 million people compared to 2009), basically achieving the target of 35% of workers having a safety net when losing their jobs by 2025.

Regarding health insurance, from 7.1 million people (9.6% of the population) participating in 1995, Vietnam is expected to have more than 95.4 million people (over 94% of the population) protected by the end of 2024. The goal for 2025 is to cover over 95% of the population with health insurance.

The number of medical examinations and treatments using health insurance in 2024 is estimated to reach 185 million (double that of 2009). Currently, about 13,000 medical facilities have connected and linked data on payment of medical examination and treatment costs under health insurance with the system of Vietnam Social Security.

Mr. Olivier Brochet, French Ambassador to Vietnam, shared that the cooperation between the French Embassy and Vietnamese authorities on developing the social security system has contributed to ensuring that all people can access the policy.

However, according to Ambassador Olivier Brochet, Vietnam still faces many challenges to achieve the goal of implementing universal health insurance. Therefore, he suggested a number of priorities for further improvement, including: enhancing staff capacity, encouraging innovation, developing sustainable financial mechanisms, and organizing training courses and in-depth training.

At the workshop, Mr. Chang Ho-Seung, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam, emphasized the importance of the Bilateral Agreement on Social Insurance between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, which will take effect from January 1, 2024. This agreement is widely welcomed by workers, as it brings more benefits when working in the two countries.

In the coming time, the Korean Embassy commits to continue to closely coordinate with the Vietnam Social Security to effectively implement this agreement.

Mr. Ishikawa Isamu, Deputy Ambassador of Japan, said that Japan and Vietnam are actively implementing the necessary steps to sign a bilateral agreement on social insurance, opening up opportunities for long-term cooperation between the two countries in this field.

In response, General Director of Vietnam Social Security Nguyen The Manh emphasized that the achievements are the result of persistent efforts to fulfill the mission of becoming the pillar of the national social security system.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/viet-nam-tiem-can-muc-tieu-bao-phu-bao-hiem-y-te-toan-dan-20241122082603395.htm