Vietnam and Denmark launch phase 3 of their health cooperation program.

On June 23, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong and Dr. Jonas Egebart, Director of the Danish Health Agency, held an official meeting, marking the launch of Phase 3 of the Vietnam-Denmark health partnership, thereby reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting healthy lives and well-being for all citizens.

This partnership prioritizes strengthening primary healthcare and improving the management of non-communicable diseases in the context of Vietnam's ongoing significant administrative and healthcare reforms.

In phase 3, the Danish Health Agency will support Vietnam in transforming its health system in the context of changing disease patterns, with a continued focus on strengthening primary healthcare to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Phase 3 of the Vietnam-Denmark Strategic Health Cooperation Program began at a crucial time when Vietnam was undergoing extensive restructuring at many levels of state administration, including the health sector. The 2007 administrative restructuring in Denmark comprehensively transformed the political and administrative system in health by reducing the number of regional and local administrative units and transferring responsibility for prevention and rehabilitation from regional to local governments.

Building on this foundation, Denmark has recently initiated a new reform process aimed at strengthening the scope of general practice, local preventive health care, and the integration of health services.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong during a working session. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

The Director General of the Danish Health Agency stated: “Vietnam is undergoing a transformation of its public administration, including the health sector, a crucial and ambitious process. Denmark has followed this path for many years and is ready to share with Vietnam the experience and policy insights we have gained from past and ongoing restructuring. Strengthening primary healthcare and investing in preventive health is not only economically sound but also helps build healthier and more resilient communities.”

Vietnam is reshaping its primary healthcare system to better serve its people as it faces a rapidly aging population, changing disease burdens, and rising public expectations driven by economic growth.

Phase 3 of the Strategic Health Sector Cooperation Program builds upon the results and joint efforts from previous phases, beginning in 2016 when the health partnership between the two countries was established. Phase 3 focuses on strengthening the policy framework, supporting integrated care models, and enhancing local capacity in the prevention, detection, and management of non-communicable diseases.

In this new phase of cooperation, Denmark is focusing on strengthening collaboration and sharing expertise. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Danish Ambassador Nicolai Prytz added that Denmark is proud to be a reliable partner of Vietnam. In this new phase of cooperation, Denmark focuses on strengthening collaboration and sharing its expertise in governance reform, enhancing the health system, life sciences, and healthcare. This phase takes place at a crucial time for reform, which can support Vietnam in shaping and implementing key policy initiatives in disease prevention and primary healthcare – key pillars of long-term health reform and aligned with Vietnam's ambitious development goals.

During the visit, the Director General of the Danish Health Agency met and discussed with the Deputy Minister of Health of Vietnam priorities in primary healthcare, management of non-communicable diseases, and the ambition to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the health sector amidst ongoing health sector reforms.

The Director-General of the Danish Health Agency also delivered a keynote speech at the High-Level Roundtable on Health Systems in Transition, co-organized by the Danish Embassy and the World Health Organization (WHO) Vietnam. At the event, representatives from units under the Ministry of Health and relevant partners engaged in a strategic dialogue on how to strengthen Vietnam's health system to adapt to changing healthcare needs and prepare for future challenges. This dialogue delved into understanding international and domestic experiences, particularly the long-term reform experiences of the Danish health sector.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-va-dan-mach-khoi-dong-giai-doan-3-chuong-trinh-hop-tac-y-te-post1045915.vnp