(Source: Viet Nam Social Security)

On November 23, the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) co-held a press conference to launch a project developing and strengthening the management of payment methods and basic health service packages reimbursed by the health insurance fund in Vietnam.

The event was attended by Deputy Health Minister Pham Le Tuan, VSS Deputy Director General Pham Luong Son, representatives of the Japanese Embassy, JICA experts and representatives of units under the Health Ministry and the VSS.

The two-year project will be implemented by the Health Ministry in conjunction with the VSS, with funding of 3 million USD sourced from the JICA. It aims to develop policies and intensify the management of payment methods and basic health service packages reimbursed by the health insurance fund.

The project comprises seven groups of activities – identifying evidence-based optimal payment methods, continuing to build and finalise evidence-based interest packages reimbursed by the health insurance fund, improving information-technology applications in the management of service supply and payment, enhancing capacity of the National Advisory Council on Health Insurance Policy, improving information assessing health insurance, and expanding health insurance coverage and building a plan to improve the health insurance system.

Addressing the event, Deputy Health Minister Pham Le Tuan said the project is expected to implement mechanisms revamping payment methods and basic health service packages, and improve the efficiency of the National Advisory Council on Health Insurance Policy. JICA will send experts in medical finance, social and health insurance and information-technology and coordinators to Vietnam, while providing equipment, machines and training for the Vietnamese side in Japan or a third country to materialise the project.

(Source: Viet Nam Social Security)

Nozomi Iwama, JICA Vice Chief Representative in Vietnam, said the project forms an important part of the universal health insurance coverage initiative launched by the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the United Nation Children’s Fund and the Japanese Government.

VSS Deputy Director General Pham Luong Son said agencies of the VSS have actively prepared and mobilised resources for the project. The project is expected to create a breakthrough for the implementation of health insurance policies in Vietnam, he said.

International Cooperation Department