The National Assembly discussed the mobilization, management and use of resources to serve the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic.

On May 29, continuing the program of the 5th Session, the 15th National Assembly held a plenary session at the Hall to discuss the mobilization, management and use of resources for the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic; the implementation of policies and laws on grassroots health care and preventive medicine, under the chairmanship of Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue - Politburo member, Chairman of the National Assembly.

Panorama of the working session on the morning of May 29 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Quang Khanh

DIRECTLY SUPERVISED 10 PROVINCES AND CITIES; WORKED WITH 14 MINISTRIES AND RELEVANT AGENCIES

Pursuant to Resolution No. 47/2022/QH15 dated June 6, 2022 on the National Assembly's Supervision Program in 2023, the National Assembly established a Supervisory Delegation on "Mobilization, management and use of resources for Covid-19 prevention and control; implementation of policies and laws on grassroots health and preventive medicine".

The National Assembly's supreme supervision topic was deployed in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic being controlled, all activities of economic and social life returning to normal, and existing and arising problems in the process of epidemic prevention and control being overcome.

Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue and other Vice Chairmen of the National Assembly at the working session on the morning of May 29 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Quang Khanh

As the Covid-19 epidemic develops rapidly, complicatedly and dangerously, many activities related to epidemic prevention and control have been carried out in circumstances where there are no legal regulations or are different from current legal regulations, leading to many difficulties and problems.

Therefore, the assessment and comments of the Supervisory Delegation are placed in the context of specific developments in epidemic prevention and control work. Along with the general assessment and comments on grassroots health care and preventive medicine under normal conditions, the Supervisory Delegation also assesses and comments on the grassroots health care system and preventive medicine in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic to make recommendations and propose appropriate solutions.

To carry out the assigned tasks, the Supervisory Delegation has: Issued a Supervisory Plan and Outline, requesting the Government, Ministries, branches, Central agencies, People's Committees, National Assembly Delegations, and People's Councils of 63 provinces and centrally-run cities to report; directly supervised in 10 provinces and cities, worked with 14 ministries and a number of relevant agencies; organized work with the Government to unify the supervision contents.

Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Social Committee, Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation Nguyen Thuy Anh presented the National Assembly's Supervisory Delegation's Report on the mobilization, management and use of resources for Covid-19 prevention and control; the implementation of policies and laws on grassroots health care and preventive medicine. Photo: Quang Khanh

In addition, in response to urgent requests from monitoring practices, the Monitoring Delegation has sent a written recommendation to the Prime Minister, on that basis, the Prime Minister has issued a written direction to resolve a number of difficulties and problems in payment, settlement, management and use of resources for Covid-19 prevention and control.

MOBILIZED 230 TRILLION VND FOR COVID-19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY POLICIES

Accordingly, through monitoring, it shows that the system of legal documents issued by central and local agencies is consistent with the Constitution; basically meets the urgent requirements of epidemic prevention and control work in each stage, creates a legal corridor for the synchronous implementation of epidemic prevention and control solutions, mobilizes the participation and contributions of the whole society for the work of preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic; contributes to helping businesses and people reduce difficulties during the Covid-19 epidemic period, ensures social security, promotes economic and social recovery and development.

National Assembly deputies at the discussion session on the morning of May 29 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Quang Khanh

To achieve the "dual" goal of both preventing and fighting the epidemic and developing the economy, ensuring people's lives, the National Assembly issued Resolution No. 30/2021/QH15 dated July 28, 2021 on the first session (Resolution No. 30), which stipulates a number of specific mechanisms and policies to serve the work of preventing and fighting the epidemic.

Based on Resolution No. 30 and following Resolution No. 30, the National Assembly, the National Assembly Standing Committee, the Government and the Prime Minister have proactively decided and managed the State budget, issued many fiscal and monetary policies to serve the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and directly support people and businesses.

The mobilization of resources for Covid-19 prevention and control has been proactive, contributing to promptly meeting the requirements of epidemic prevention and control work, bringing positive results in difficult and urgent contexts.

The management, use, payment and settlement of resources for epidemic prevention and control have basically been implemented in accordance with issued policies and guidelines. Aid and sponsorship goods have been promptly allocated to localities and units to serve the Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control work.

Delegate Nguyen Van Huy - National Assembly Delegation of Thai Binh province speaks at the discussion. Photo: Quochoi.vn

By December 31, 2022, the budget for Covid-19 prevention and control has been used, including: Supporting people, workers, employers, and business households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic is over VND 87,000 billion; implementing regimes and policies for frontline forces and other forces participating in the fight against the epidemic (military, police, health...) is VND 4,487 billion; purchasing Covid-19 vaccines is VND 15,134 billion; supporting research and testing of Covid-19 vaccines is VND 4.6 billion; purchasing test kits is VND 2,593 billion; purchasing medical equipment, supplies, drugs, and biological products is VND 5,291 billion; paying for examination, emergency care, and treatment of Covid-19 patients is VND 719 billion; screening, admission, and medical isolation is VND 89 billion; Support for new construction, repair, and upgrading of Covid-19 treatment facilities, quarantine facilities, and field hospitals is 403 billion VND; research and application of information technology to prevent and fight the Covid-19 epidemic, Wave and Computer Program for Children, and online teaching is 96 billion VND; other expenses are about 2,600 billion VND.

The report of the Monitoring Team also pointed out the shortcomings and limitations in mobilizing, managing and using resources for Covid-19 prevention and control, especially serious violations in mobilizing, managing and using resources for epidemic prevention and control, especially in research, acceptance, transfer, licensing, price negotiation, production organization, purchase and sale of Covid-19 test kits related to Viet A Technology Joint Stock Company and the organization of flights to bring Vietnamese citizens from abroad back to the country for quarantine at civil facilities, voluntarily paying fees during the Covid-19 epidemic; many officials at the central and local levels were criminally prosecuted.

Besides, the Supervisory Delegation pointed out the achievements, limitations, and causes of limitations in the implementation of legal policies on primary health care and preventive medicine.

National Assembly deputies at the discussion session on the morning of May 29 at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House. Photo: Quang Khanh