Timely resolution of the regime for subjects infected with toxic chemicals

(Baonghean.vn) - Voters in some localities have proposed: The regime and policies for people infected with toxic chemicals during the war have not been given attention and resolved promptly and have many shortcomings. The province is requested to report to higher authorities to create conditions and ensure the rights of the subjects.

The relevant authorities responded to this issue as follows:

In the past time, the implementation of preferential policies for resistance fighters and their children who were exposed to toxic chemicals has been focused on and implemented in accordance with the State's policy. The whole province has had over 17,000 people considered for the regime. The review and introduction of medical examination and assessment of diseases, deformities and disabilities related to exposure to toxic chemicals for resistance fighters and their children according to Circular No. 41/2013/TT-LĐTBXH has been trained and guided by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to districts, cities and towns for implementation.

Do Luong district authorities visit and give gifts to victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. (Photo for reference and illustration)

Up to now, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has received and approved 3,347 applications from the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns, including:

- Transferred to the Medical Examination Council for examination: 2,562 cases.

- Return the files to the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to supplement and complete the files: 785 files because the documents proving the region of participation in the revolution are invalid, the original documents have signs of erasure... or the diseases related to exposure to toxic chemicals/dioxin are not in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 41.

However, it can be said that the implementation of the regime for resistance fighters and their children infected with toxic chemicals in the past time in the province has been somewhat slow, due to the following objective reasons:

- The guiding documents of the central ministries and branches were issued slowly, with many unclear points, causing difficulties in the organization, implementation, reception, appraisal and settlement of the regime. The documents regulating diseases, disabilities, and medical examinations for resistance fighters exposed to toxic substances were issued slowly compared to Decree No. 31/2013/ND-CP and had problems and unreasonable issues that needed to be revised.

The provincial Association of Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims donated 10 million VND to support families of victims infected with Agent Orange in Yen Thanh district. (Photo courtesy)

- There has been a change in personnel in the Provincial Medical Examination Council, so we have to wait for the organization to be completed.

- Resolving policies for people infected with toxic chemicals is sensitive and involves many levels and sectors, so it requires time to verify related documents such as: Documents proving regions participating in the revolution; medical records at hospitals related to the treatment of diseases caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

- Because the war ended more than 40 years ago, many subjects did not keep the original documents, so when reviewing the documents, the competent authorities had to return the documents.

In the coming time, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs will continue to direct and guide the effective implementation of propaganda and dissemination of legal regulations on resolving the regime for resistance war participants infected with toxic chemicals and their children; urge local authorities at district and commune levels to review and guide eligible subjects according to Circular 41/2013/TT-BLDTBXH-BYT to declare and prepare documents to request competent authorities to resolve the regime according to regulations.

PV

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