Statistics show that last year, about 3.5 million students went to medical facilities for examination and treatment, with the total medical expenses of VND3.142 trillion ($128 million) covered by the health insurance fund.

In the first eight months of this year, 2.7 million students received examination and treatment at medical facilities, with the total medical expenses of VND2.174 trillion ($89 million) covered by the health insurance fund.

 The Health Insurance Fund has paid more than VND5.3 trillion ($217 million) for students' medical costs of examination and treatment between the beginning of last year and the first eight months of this year. Illustrative Photo

Between the beginning of last year and the first eight months of this year, the health insurance fund paid substantial medical costs for many students, specifically as follows:

- Medical cost of VND100 - 200 million ($4,100-8,200): 1,435 students incurred this. The total cost was VND194.4 billion ($7.9 million).

- Medical cost of VND200 - 500 million ($8,200-20,500): 568 students incurred this. The total cost was VND165.5 billion ($6.8 million).

- Medical costs over VND500 million ($20,500): 66 students incurred this. The total cost was VND43 billion ($1.76 million).

Additionally, several students received payments for their very large treatment costs from the health insurance fund as follows:

The first student, who received the highest payment for medical treatment worth VND1.07 billion ($43,900), has the health insurance card code HS4797937XXXXXX, was born in 2006, and lives at No 18A Do Doc Long Street, Tan Quy Ward, Tan Phu District, HCM City. The student was diagnosed with "disease of the eye socket, acute myocarditis, sequelae of intracranial damage".

The second student, who received the second-highest payment from the health insurance fund worth VND1.04 billion, has the health insurance card code HS4828222XXXXX, was born in 2008, and lives in Duong Diem Commune, Chau Thanh District, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. The student was diagnosed with "hereditary factor VIII deficiency, severe dengue fever".

The third student, who received a payment worth VND1.04 billion ($42,600) from the health insurance fund, has the health insurance card code HS4013520XXXXX, was born in 2014, and lives at No. 12 Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi. The student was diagnosed with "Liver fibrosis, Cholangitis, Biliary atresia".

The fourth student, who received a payment worth VND920 million ($37,700) from the health insurance fund, has the health insurance card code HS4010123XXXXX, was born in 2007, and lives in Gia Thuy Ward, Long Bien District, Ha Noi.

The student was diagnosed with "non-specific meningococcal septicaemia, acute viral hepatitis, idiopathic bone marrow failure".

 Health insurance is believed to contribute to protecting the health of young generations. Illustrative Photo

In the 2022-23 school year, the total number of students participating in health insurance reached more than 97 per cent.

This means that over 18.8 million students are guaranteed and fully enjoy health insurance benefits according to regulations.

Should the students unfortunately become sick or have an accident, their medical costs for examination and treatment will be covered by the health insurance fund within the scope and level of benefits.

Many students suffering from incurable and chronic diseases that require long-term treatments, such as haemodialysis, cancer treatment and cardiovascular surgery, have had their examination and treatment costs covered by the health insurance fund, with amounts ranging from tens of millions to billions of dong.

This support has helped to alleviate the financial burden on students' families, giving them additional motivation and peace of mind to focus on treatment and return to their studies sooner.

Health insurance is considered a vital social security policy, playing a crucial role in supporting medical examinations and treatments, and promoting health care for students in particular, and the public at large.

Participating in student health insurance not only protects the health of young generations but also underscores their responsibility to adhere to the law and their spirit of solidarity to share risks with those facing health challenges./.