National Assembly deputy Ho Thi Kim Ngan (Bac Kan Province) makes remarks at the plenary sesion

Specifically, National Assembly deputy Ho Thi Kim Ngan proposed adding a provision to the draft Law regarding amendments and supplements to Article 43 on the responsibility of medical examination and treatment facilities covered by health insurance: The director of the medical examination and treatment facility is responsible for ensuring the timely and sufficient availability of medicine and medical supplies for patients with health insurance cards within their benefit coverage. In cases of shortages due to objective or uncontrollable reasons, the medical examination and treatment facility shall reimburse patients for the costs of purchasing medicine and medical supplies as prescribed by the doctor before their discharge, and settle the account with the Social Security agency, taking responsibility for the payment request documents.

This regulation aims to clearly define the responsibility of the head of the medical examination and treatment facility, while ensuring that the facility provides medicine, chemicals, and medical supplies to patients.

Regarding Clause 19 of Article 1 of the draft Law amending and supplementing Article 27, which states: "Article 27. Transfer of patients between medical examination and treatment facilities covered by health insurance. 2. Medical examination and treatment facilities with higher specialized technical level transfer patients back to the initial medical examination and treatment facilities where the patient registered or received initial examination and treatment for management and follow-up of chronic diseases. They also provide, distribute medicine, and medical equipment used at the higher specialized technical level facilities. These facilities utilize technical services according to the professional capacity of the facilities managing and following up on chronic diseases."

The deputy believes that, as stated above, the initial medical examination and treatment facilities include commune, ward, and town-level health stations; clinics, etc. These grassroots healthcare facilities play a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage. As they are the closest healthcare facilities to the people, ensuring basic healthcare for all at low cost, the role of these stations is incredibly significant.

It is crucial to define the responsibility of the head of the medical facility in ensuring medicines and medical equipment (Illustrative Photo - Internet)

However, the deputy pointed out that there are many shortcomings in the grassroots healthcare system that need to be addressed thoroughly from the central to the local level. Currently, grassroots healthcare facilities primarily focus on preventive tasks such as expanded immunization, implementing national target programs, etc. Their capacity, professional qualifications, infrastructure, equipment, and ability to provide healthcare services remain limited, leading to a lack of public trust in grassroots healthcare, resulting in patients going to higher-level hospitals, causing overcrowding in those facilities.

According to the draft law, "Medical examination and treatment facilities with higher specialized technical levels transfer patients back to the initial medical examination and treatment facilities where the patient registered or received initial examination and treatment for management and follow-up of chronic diseases. They also provide, distribute medicine, and medical equipment used at the higher specialized technical level facilities. These facilities utilize technical services according to the professional capacity of the facilities managing and following up on chronic diseases." To implement this task, it is necessary to have solutions to enhance the capacity for medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance in grassroots healthcare facilities to ensure the provision of healthcare services for the people.

Furthermore, in section 4.b of Resolution No 97/NQ-CP - Resolution of the specialized meeting on law drafting in June 2024, the Government directed that the amendments and supplements to the Law on Health Insurance should "establish a mechanism to promote the development of grassroots healthcare, control health insurance payments through standardized treatment protocols to ensure transparency; increase funding for grassroots healthcare."

Therefore, the deputy proposed that the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Health Insurance should include provisions clearly outlining mechanisms to promote the development of grassroots healthcare, enhance the professional capacity of grassroots healthcare staff, invest in infrastructure and equipment, and provide support for doctors, etc. This aims to strengthen the initial level of medical examination and treatment at the grassroots level, ensuring the fulfillment of assigned tasks./.