National Assembly delegates propose to review the current situation of grassroots healthcare

Most delegates highly appreciated the role of the Government, the Prime Minister, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, branches, local authorities, mass organizations, frontline forces against the epidemic, and volunteers who have proactively and responsibly participated in the work of epidemic prevention and control.

Overview of the 2nd session, 15th National Assembly.

Delegate Bo Thi Xuan Linh (Binh Thuan province) said that in recent times, Party and State leaders have paid great attention to directing and mobilizing to have Covid-19 vaccines for free vaccination for the people, such as establishing a Vaccine Fund, actively implementing vaccine diplomacy, and effectively organizing the largest vaccination campaign in the history of vaccination in Vietnam. The health sector is not afraid of difficulties and dangers, always taking the lead in epidemic prevention and control, has focused all resources to drastically implement urgent measures such as developing and issuing professional guidelines to effectively carry out tracing, testing, organizing reception and treatment stratification, and has successfully treated many cases of severe illness.

The armed forces have overcome all difficulties and hardships, always being the shock force, responsible on the front line participating in the prevention and control of the epidemic, promptly mobilizing the army, supporting Ho Chi Minh City in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic. Mobilizing maximum financial resources, equipment from the state budget to mobilize sponsorship and support from businesses, organizations, the Government, and countries for the fight against the epidemic.

However, according to the female delegate, in addition to the achieved results, the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic still revealed many limitations. Forecasts of the Covid-19 epidemic situation were sometimes not close to reality, and some places were still negligent and rigid in directing the handling of specific situations.

Delegate Linh said that Vietnam is one of the first four countries in the world to isolate the virus, but the production of test kits is still weak, not enough to supply domestically and must be imported and exported in very large quantities, making screening costly. The distribution of vaccines is also uneven, many localities in high-risk areas have a small amount of vaccine allocated. In addition, the health system has also revealed weaknesses, especially the health care at the grassroots level has not met the requirements when the epidemic occurs and the number of doctors is still low. On-site medical staff has not met the requirements.

Review the status of basic health care

Also referring to the grassroots health system, expressing her opinion on the Government's epidemic prevention and control report, delegate Pham Khanh Phong Lan (HCMC) acknowledged that Vietnam has relatively controlled the epidemic situation. However, according to her, besides nearly 20,000 people who died from Covid-19, there are many cases that did not receive good medical care during this period and may have indirectly died from Covid-19.

According to Ms. Phong Lan, we need to review the current situation of primary health care and the primary health care system. “I myself have been a member of the National Assembly for the third term and we remember that in all the terms, there was only one target of 30% of the budget for preventive health care and primary health care, but the number of localities that have achieved this can still be counted on the fingers, not to mention that 30% is also insignificant compared to what is necessary and the needs of the people. We must have a way to allocate it to truly meet the population size, not just on the issue of geographical division,” Ms. Lan stated.

Ho Chi Minh City delegates said that the Government needs to have consistent policies and guidelines and direct the Ministry of Health to develop a perspective on epidemic prevention.

“The Ministry of Health has worked very hard, not only to direct and guide localities, but also to really get involved. Regarding grassroots health care, I think it is not just a matter of money, but also of human resources,” emphasized delegate Lan.

According to her, Vietnam's current policies are still patchy, with frequent organizational changes. For example, around 2006-2007, from district health centers, we divided them into hospitals, preventive health centers and health departments, which means "weak but still divided". Currently, even in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the directive, all preventive health centers and hospitals in districts and counties are under the Department of Health. Thus, the People's Committees of localities will have great difficulty in coordinating forces and in fact the unit in charge of local health work is the health department, while the health department only performs the function of State management.

Some grassroots cadres are still negligent and subjective in fighting the epidemic.

Referring to the issue of public service implementation in epidemic prevention, delegate Mai Thi Phuong Hoa (Nam Dinh delegation) said that there are still shortcomings in many places. Typically, the Government directed the unified circulation of goods, smooth transportation, no issuance of sub-licenses, no separatism, but in some localities, higher requirements were set, exceeding the necessary level, causing difficulties for people and businesses. "While the Government leaders closely directed, a number of cadres at the grassroots level were still negligent and subjective in fighting the epidemic. This may be a serious disease in some places, but during the epidemic period, it became more obvious" - delegate Hoa said.

Delegate Mai Thi Phuong Hoa (Nam Dinh delegation).

“These issues create a negative image and damage the government’s reputation. I think that with any issue, officials must set an example and comply first,” said Ms. Hoa.

According to the delegate, in any case, it is necessary to create consensus among the people. In urgent situations, for violations, it is necessary to consider administrative handling, even criminal handling; avoid handling things emotionally, regardless of legal regulations.

When making decisions or measures, we must consider the health, life, and legitimate rights and interests of the people above all else. When the government makes the right decisions, for the common good, and in accordance with the people's wishes, the people will always support and comply, even when it is difficult and inconvenient for their daily lives.

Delegate Mai Thi Phuong Hoa also supported the Prime Minister's view of changing the mindset and way of fighting the epidemic towards risk management, not pursuing a "no Covid" policy. Many countries in the world have also identified the need to safely and sustainably adapt to Covid-19. Therefore, according to the delegate, in the immediate future, it is necessary to strictly implement Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP of the Government on "Safe, flexible adaptation, effective control of the Covid-19 epidemic". At the same time, it is necessary to urgently complete the Overall Strategy for effective response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in the new situation. Accordingly, it is necessary to implement 6 major goals, including 1 increase, 2 decrease, 3 ensure. Specifically: Increase the rate of vaccine coverage; Reduce the rate of Covid-19 infections; Reduce the death rate from Covid-19; Ensure socio-economic recovery associated with the situation of disease control; Ensure better social security; Ensure effective handling of a number of newly arising issues such as: people's mental health; food shortages among a segment of the poor; increasing homeless people in some big cities…/.