Attending the meeting were leaders of units directly under the Vietnam Social Security including: Administration Office, Department of Personnel and Organization, Department of Finance and Accounting; Department of Social Insurance Implementation, Department of Health Insurance Implementation, Department of Contribution Collection – Insurance Book and Card; Information and Communication Center, Social Security Magazine.

On the side of the provincial social security office, there were: Director Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong; Deputy Directors and leaders of affiliated departments, directors of social security offices of districts and cities.

General Director of Vietnam Social Security Nguyen The Manh delivered a speech at the meeting

At the meeting, the head of Ha Giang Social Security Office briefly reported on the implementation of policies on social insurance and health insurance in the area in 2020. Accordingly, over the past time, the provincial social security office has strengthened and well performed the advisory mission and coordinating with the local authorities in implementing policies on social insurance and health insurance; focused on developing subjects participating in social insurance and health insurance; urged the collection and reduction of outstanding debts of social insurance and health insurance in 2020 associated with assigning targets and implementation progress to units and agent systems; organized timely, convenient and full payment of benefits to beneficiaries of social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance, etc.

By the end of 2020, the whole province had gathered 846,629 participants of social insurance and health insurance, an increase of 17,344 (2.09%) compared to 2019. In which, the number of voluntary social insurance participants reached 7,877, an increase of 5,159 (189.8%) compared to 2019.

The collection and reduction of debts of social, health and unemployment insurance have also exceeded the plan assigned by Vietnam Social Security. In 2020, the provincial social security office processed 3,275 dossiers of social insurance regimes; 869,179 turns of medical examination and treatment covered by health insurance, etc.

However, in addition to the achieved results, leaders of the provincial social security office, representatives of functional departments and social security offices of districts and cities also shared about difficulties and problems in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies in the area, especially in the complicated situation of the COVID-19 epidemic causing severe impacts on socio-economic situation and people's income.

In addition, Ha Giang is a mountainous province, an area with scattered population distribution and many ethnic minorities living together, which leads to language barriers and difficulty in propagating and mobilizing people. In particular, the low income of people is one of the limitations affecting the development of people participating in voluntary social insurance.

At the meeting, leaders of units directly under VSS assessed and provided additional information on the implementation of policies on social insurance and health insurance in Ha Giang province; at the same time answered some questions and recommendations of the provincial social security office in the fields of: implementation of policies on social insurance and health insurance; collection management, book and card; communication; finance and accounting, etc.

Concluding the meeting, Manh acknowledged and highly appreciated the results that the Ha Giang Social Security Office achieved in 2020, especially the development of voluntary social insurance participants. In addition, the office has closely followed the instructions of the industry, and the local authorities have achieved many positive results in the implementation of policies on social insurance and health insurance. The advisory mission has been strengthened to help the Provincial Party Committee, People's Committee and People's Council promptly issue documents, directions and guidance in the field of social insurance and health insurance. The provincial social security office has always been proactive and available to coordinate with departments, branches and unions in performing tasks.

However, the General Director also stated that despite the rapid growth rate, Ha Giang's social insurance coverage is still low compared to the national average. Therefore, in 2021, the office needs to strengthen solutions and better implement the policies of social insurance and health insurance in the locality; especially in the development of voluntary social insurance to increase the coverage of health insurance and contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and ensuring people's lives.

Regarding the solution, the General Director requested, the provincial social security office to closely follow the instructions of the Industry and local authorities; coordinate with departments, branches and unions in performing tasks; focus on using and reviewing databases of branches and tax agencies to serve the development of participants in social insurance and health insurance; promote communication, expand and improve the quality of the collection agency system. On the other hand, with a wide area and diversity of ethnic groups, the provincial social security office must continue to promote administrative reform, application of information technology and tightening public discipline for even better service.

On behalf of all cadres, civil servants, officials and employees in the unit, the Director of Ha Giang Social Security Office - Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong has received the direction of the VSS General Director; thanked and wished to continue to receive the attention, direction and support of leaders of the Industry and professional units in performing tasks. The Office will continue to strive, make efforts and promote solidarity and responsibility to best complete all assigned targets and tasks./.