(Source: Viet Nam Social Security)

Deputy Director of the Health Insurance Implementation Department of the Viet Nam Social Security (VSS) Le Van Phuc in Hanoi on November 22 met with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to discuss a project to build and enhance payment methods management and basic health services packages reimbursed by the health insurance fund in Vietnam.

At the meeting, Head of Health Finance of Japan’s Social Insurance Agency Hironari Onishi briefed the host on social security and health insurance implementation in Japan. He said that social security in Japan includes four types: the pension insurance system, health insurance, unemployment insurance and workplace accident insurance.

Among those types, all citizens have to join health insurance and they will benefit from other interests (except cash as cost of health services).

Onishi added that in Japan, the agency which assesses and reimbursed health insurance is a non-profit private organisation without capital or assets. Its business plans and budget are approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

The Japanese government pays special attention to the management of the health insurance system and the prices of health services. Japan’s health insurance policy is established based on a low birth rate, changes in diseases and advances in health technology. It also needs to ensure necessary health treatment standards.

Private hospitals and clinics are responsible for most health care treatments as the Japanese government believes that access to health care is vital to every citizen and is the duty of the government.

“Patients can be checked up in any health facilities with competent doctors and qualified health services. In Japan, all doctors have to participate in national examinations and have two years of internship experience. Therefore, public and private doctors are all competent”, said Onishi.

At the meeting, JICA experts also shared experience in handling invoices and health insurance payments in Japan as well as cooperation plans for JICA.

In July, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health and VSS signed a cooperation project with JICA to build and enhance payment methods management and basic health insurance packages paid by the health insurance funds in Vietnam.

International Cooperation Department