For many cancer patients, 2030 may be too late

National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga proposed that hospital fees for cancer and dialysis patients could be exempted from 2026 or 2027. Photo: Pham Dong

The National Assembly has just discussed a draft Resolution on a number of breakthrough mechanisms and policies for the work of protecting, caring for and improving people's health.

Delegate Nguyen Anh Tri ( Hanoi Delegation) agreed with the goal of free hospitalisation for all by 2030, but suggested implementing it sooner for people with difficult-to-treat cancers, chronic diseases and especially patients on dialysis.

According to the delegate, these are people in very difficult circumstances, the cost of medicine and treatment services are very high.

Speaking with Lao Dong on December 3, delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran (Ho Chi Minh City Delegation) said that considering early exemption of hospital fees for people with difficult-to-treat cancer, severe chronic diseases and especially patients on dialysis is worth considering.

To implement this important policy soon, delegates said that it is necessary to carefully calculate resources. Exempting hospital fees for groups with serious illnesses will increase the cost of the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) and the State budget.

Along with reaching consensus on policy, the Government and ministries need to review the number of patients, total treatment costs, fund balance capacity, as well as consider options to reduce the load such as negotiating drug prices, adjusting technical standards, and increasing the efficiency of managing the Health Insurance Fund.

A feasible option is to implement the roadmap earlier than 2030 but with a focus. Delegates gave examples of prioritizing patients on dialysis and late-stage cancer; applying a payment ceiling or support level according to disease groups; combining support from socialized sources and charity funds.

"The proposal is reasonable, timely and humane, but to implement it requires careful financial calculation and a suitable roadmap to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system," the delegate emphasized.

Delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran suggested giving priority to patients with dialysis and late-stage cancer. Photo: Pham Dong

Delegate Nguyen Hoang Bao Tran suggested giving priority to dialysis patients and late-stage cancer patients. Photo: Pham Dong

Discussing together, delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga (Hai Phong delegation) agreed with the proposal of National Assembly delegate, Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri on the above content.

Delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga said that any delay in policy means they will continue to face pressures beyond their family's ability to manage on their own.

In fact, serious chronic diseases and cancer are not only a continuous battle, but also an economically exhausting journey. The cost of treatment, regular tests, hospitalization, travel and care, for many families, is a burden beyond their ability to pay.

For patients undergoing dialysis: 3 sessions a week, 12 sessions a month, the treatment cycle takes up almost all of their lives. If they have to bear a large hospital bill for each dialysis session, it is like a form of “double loss”: having to endure physical pain while worrying about every penny of expenses to maintain life.

"The National Assembly and the Government always emphasize the goal of putting people at the center of all policies, and in that spirit, this group of patients absolutely deserves priority.

Some opinions are concerned that early exemption of hospital fees could put pressure on the Health Insurance Fund. However, we need to look at the problem from a holistic perspective," said delegate Viet Nga.

According to the female delegate of Hai Phong delegation, the number of patients with cancer or chronic diseases in severe stages is not small, but this is a clearly defined group, managed by verified medical records, not a group prone to fraud.

Furthermore, the cost of supporting this group is essentially an investment in social security and social stability, because when patients receive good care, the burden on their families is reduced, their quality of life is improved and the positive consequences spread greatly.

Delegates said the Government needs to conduct thorough research but should not delay until 2030, because for many patients, 2030 may be too late. It is necessary to develop a shortened roadmap, possibly from 2026 or 2027, and at the same time calculate additional financial mechanisms for the Health Insurance Fund in the initial phase to ensure sustainability.

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