Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam requested the health sector to implement 5 major contents in 2018.

Speaking at the online conference to deploy the health sector's work in 2018 and the Project to build and develop the grassroots health network according to Decision 2348/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam praised and highly appreciated the efforts of the health sector in 2017.

These efforts have brought about comprehensive results, notably the quality of medical examination and treatment and service attitude have been significantly improved, recognized by the people.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam speaks at the Conference on Health Work Deployment in 2018. Photo: Health and Life Newspaper

To better protect and care for people's health, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam requested that in 2018, the health sector needs to quickly and well implement 5 major issues:

Firstly, the health sector continues to promote the implementation of financial autonomy in units. Only with autonomy can the staffing be streamlined. Not only can large central hospitals be autonomous, but grassroots health care can be completely autonomous. The quality of technical services will be improved, and people will come to see a doctor.

To be self-sufficient, medical units must comply with the service list, including the preventive medicine sector. The Ministry of Health needs to soon complete and issue a streamlined service list. Along with that, the General Medical Association also needs to take strong action and quickly develop standard treatment protocols.

Second, the health sector needs to accelerate the development of the health information system in a disciplined manner. Information technology needs to be applied uniformly at grassroots health stations. Upper-level hospitals must be connected with lower-level hospitals, and electronic medical records and individual records must be updated. Only then, after a few years, will the national health management system have complete data.

Third, the industry continues to conduct national centralized drug bidding in an increasingly expanded direction, not only for drugs but also for medical supplies. After 3 years of implementing provincial bidding, Vietnam has saved 40% of costs in this field. In 2017, bidding for only 5 active ingredients saved 447 billion VND (17%) compared to the planned price. Currently, Vietnam imports about 4 billion USD worth of drugs each year. If we implement national centralized drug bidding for all types of drugs, we will save a lot of money for the poor.

The online conference had more than 700 points of connection with about 12,000 participants. Nghe An point of connection participated in giving opinions at the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

Fourth, the health sector must focus on building a good hospital environment. The hospital environment is not only about facilities but also about transparency, integrity, and openness. It must be recognized that the assaults on doctors on duty are partly due to family members being dissatisfied with the service of medical staff, due to medical staff not explaining, and due to some medical staff not being very good.

Fifth, the Ministry of Health continues to direct large hospitals to support technical development for satellite hospitals. In addition, the Ministry needs to direct the establishment of a hospital chain mechanism. The chain model helps hospitals gradually reach equal levels and capacities, thereby reducing the burden on upper-level hospitals... The health sector must correctly recognize that there is no distinction between public and private health care, but it is necessary to strictly handle units that take advantage of health insurance.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said: The above requirements are not difficult, determination is needed to achieve them. And he believes that in 2018, the health sector will do its job well./.