Nearly 94% of Nghe An students participate in health insurance

(Baonghean.vn) - In recent years, the rate of students participating in health insurance in Nghe An compared to the target set by the Prime Minister is still quite low. In some schools, only 10 students participate.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong requested that in the 2017-2018 school year, all sectors must clearly analyze existing problems and limitations to come up with practical solutions. Photo: My Ha

There is still a mentality of dependence on the State.

In the 2016-2017 school year, the whole province had 511,243/544,095 students participating in health insurance, reaching a rate of 93.96%, with a total amount of more than 205 billion VND.

Of this, students contributed more than 132 billion VND and the state budget supported more than 72 billion VND.

However, this figure is still quite low compared to the target of 100% of students participating in health insurance set by the Government. In particular, it focuses on districts such as Quynh Luu (83.10%), Nghi Loc (88.23%), Yen Thanh (88.63%), Dien Chau (89.14%)...

Specifically, in Quynh Luu district, there are currently many schools with a very low rate of students participating in health insurance for students and pupils, often concentrated in some specific communes. For example, Quynh Lam B Primary School has a participation rate of 23.73%, Tan Thang Primary School (49.92%)...

Referring to the current situation of implementing health insurance for students in the area, at the meeting, Mr. Ho Ngoc Dung - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district stated: Currently, in the district, there are schools such as Quynh Thanh Primary School with only 10 students participating in compulsory health insurance and mainly the children of officials and teachers. The rest are mainly children of poor households and families with preferential policies. The main reason is that parents do not yet realize the significance of participating in health insurance and are relying on the state!

In Dien Chau district, the lowest is Dien Doai Secondary School with the health insurance participation rate reaching only 47.89%. Among many reasons, an important reason why many parents are not interested in health insurance is because the school health system is still weak, there are not enough facilities to operate, the effectiveness of primary health care for students at school is not high; the medical staff in primary and secondary schools are mostly part-time. For example, at the primary level, only 8/41 schools have medical staff, and only 1/3 of secondary schools have medical staff and most of them are still part-time.

Health check for students at Hung Hoa Kindergarten, Vinh city. Photo: My Ha

The assessment of the Social Insurance sector also said: According to the provisions of the Law on Health Insurance, the health insurance premium for students increases according to the roadmap prescribed by the Law on Health Insurance, so in many places parents and students have difficulty participating in health insurance.

In addition, some schools collect both health insurance and personal insurance at the same time but do not promote or explain clearly, causing confusion and equating student health insurance, which is a compulsory form implemented by the state, with personal insurance, which is a form of commercial insurance.

Responsibility must be linked to rights

Directing the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong highly appreciated the efforts of the Social Insurance and Education sectors in implementing health insurance for students.

In fact, in recent years, from the primary health care budget deducted from health insurance revenue, the school health network in the province has been strengthened and developed, creating conditions for health care education and disease prevention in schools.

In 2016-2017 alone, the Social Insurance allocated 45 billion VND for initial medical examination and treatment for schools in the area. Many students with serious illnesses were supported by insurance, including student Phan Van Khanh (Hung Nguyen) who was paid nearly 350,000,000 VND by insurance.

However, in addition to the achieved results, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also pointed out some shortcomings when compared to the whole country, the rate of participation in health insurance in Nghe An is still low. The main reason is that some localities have not had the participation of Party committees and authorities at all levels; some places have not had the right awareness of the importance of schools, teachers, parents and students; school health care has not received attention, the quality of medical examination and treatment is still limited...

Faced with these difficulties, he requested: "The sectors need to continue to clarify the shortcomings and limitations so that in the 2017-2018 school year, there will be practical solutions to overcome them."

Awarding prizes to collectives and individuals who have done well in health insurance for students. Photo: My Ha

To achieve 100% of students having health insurance cards in the 2017-2018 school year, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Provincial Social Insurance Agency to preside over and coordinate with relevant departments, branches and sectors to promote propaganda on the benefits and significance of health insurance; direct the improvement of the quality of school health care activities, focusing on improving the team of school health care staff in both quantity and quality; advise and propose the Provincial People's Committee to increase the support rate for health insurance contributions for students from the local budget (in addition to the minimum support level of 30% as prescribed by the Law on Health Insurance)...

On the part of the health sector, continue to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment at all levels, especially the spirit and service attitude in medical examination and treatment activities to ensure full rights and create all favorable conditions for health insurance participants, including students, when going for medical examination and treatment.

On this occasion, Vietnam Social Security awarded 5 groups and 4 individuals for their outstanding achievements in health insurance for students.

My Ha