Vice Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, a commissioner of Vietnam Social Security Board, chairs the meeting

Reporting at the meeting, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Tam said that with the drastic direction of the provincial Party Committee and the provincial People's Committee, the coordination of departments, branches, and the efforts of Quang Ninh Social Security Office, since 2021, the implementation of social insurance (SI), health insurance (HI) and unemployment insurance (UI) policies in the province has achieved outstanding results, making positive contributions to the effective implementation of social security policies and socio-economic stability of the locality.

In 2022, the number of HI participants was 1,265,441 people, an increase of 1.2 per cent compared to 2021, the province’s HI coverage rate reached 95 per cent; the number of SI participants was 274,610, an increase of 2.9 per cent compared to 2021, accounting for 43.5 per cent of the working force at working ages. By the end of the first quarter of 2023, the number of HI participants was 1,268,347 people; HI coverage rate reached 95 per cent; the number of SI participants was 272,083 people, accounting for 42.8 per cent of the work force at working age.

 Deputy Director of provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thanh Tam reports at the meeting

The province deployed solutions to achieve the set targets. To realise the plan for insurance premium collections and minimise delayed social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance contributions, Quang Ninh Province asked units to urgently implement key tasks in accordance with the direction of Vietnam Social Security. The province actively coordinated with relevant units to hold direct dialogues with enterprises, accompanying businesses to solve difficulties and obstacles.

The management of the SI fund is maintained closely and safely, in which the settlement of SI regimes, pension payments and SI benefits are always implemented fully and on time, ensuring the interests of participants and policy beneficiaries.

With the activeness and proactiveness of the provincial Social Insurance Office, up to now, administrative procedure reform, IT application, electronic transactions, public services, and non-cash payments in the social security sector have been enhanced and achieved positive results.

However, the development of participants still faces difficulties, for example, there is no mechanism to deal with enterprises that are temporarily suspending operations, with owners that have fled, and social insurance debts. The province still sees a number of participants taking social insurance payment as a lump sum; the software system of some medical facilities has not yet met the standard regulations and output data format; the assessment of costs of medical care and treatment with health insurance in the province still faces difficulties and fails to meet requirements.

Speaking at the meeting, representatives of the Quang Ninh Province’s Department of Health said that the implementation of the health insurance policy in the locality also encountered difficulties related to the payment and settlement of costs of healthcare services with health insurance.

Vietnam Social Security Board of Commissioners highly appreciates the results that Quang Ninh Province has achieved in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies

Representatives of some local hospitals suggested that the Social Insurance Office continue to strengthen coordination with medical facilities to improve the efficiency of the health insurance fund and the quality of health care for the people. The implementation of bidding for drugs and medical supplies faces difficulties, however, hospitals in Quang Ninh Province are trying to implement solutions to overcome them.

Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh affirmed that the province has always paid attention to directing the implementation of SI/HI policies, promulgating documents directing departments, agencies and local authorities at all levels to effectively implement the relevant policies.

Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh affirmed that the locality always pays attention to directing the implementation of social insurance and health insurance policies

At the meeting, members of the supervisory delegation highly appreciated the outstanding results that Quang Ninh Province has achieved in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies. At the same time, they exchanged and commented on the implementation and use of health insurance fund; inspection to units that owe payment or delay payment of social insurance; and expansion of SI/HI/UI coverage and labour management.

Deputy General Director of Vietnam Social Insurance Nguyen Duc Hoa highly appreciated Quang Ninh's achievements in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies

Speaking at the conference, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Social Insurance Nguyen Duc Hoa highly appreciated Quang Ninh's achievements in implementing social insurance and health insurance policies, especially its increasing number of SI/HI participants and decreased social insurance debts.

Hoa suggested that Quang Ninh authorities at all levels should strengthen measures to manage and use the health insurance fund in a reasonable, efficient, economical and proper manner; standardise data according to regulations; and attach the responsibility for management and use of health insurance funds to the heads of the medical examination and treatment facilities.

He asked for improved communication campaigns for the sustainable development of SI/HI participants, focusing on keeping participants re-registered. At the same time, inspection and examination need to be strengthened to ensure the interests of participants.

Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour Ngo Duy Hieu highly appreciated the province’s performance.

The Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee of Quang Ninh Province have had the right policies, decisions and directions which helped the locality reach targets in the implementation of social insurance and health insurance policies.

The province’s premium contribution collection and development of SI/HI participants increased, exceeding the target assigned by the Prime Minister; the amount of social insurance and health insurance debts gradually decreased; administrative procedure reform brought many positive effects; Health insurance assessment has limited the wasteful use of health insurance funds. The inspection and examination have detected and promptly handled many violations.

The meeting between the supervisory delegation from Vietnam Social Security Board of Commissioners and Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee

Hieu asked Quang Ninh Province to strengthen communication and popularise the law on social insurance and health insurance to further improve the state management in the field; improve the quality of healthcare services; continue to thoroughly apply scientific and technical achievements in management, supervision and implementation of tasks at medical facilities; promote inspection activities to prevent abuse of social insurance and health insurance funds. Especially, Quang Ninh Province provides affected workers from bankrupt enterprises or those with social insurance debt; and focuses on digital transformation.

He expected Quang Ninh Province to be turned into a good example in ensuring sustainable social security./.