Vietnam to Ease Citizen Burden with New Health and Population Policies Effective July 1

Vietnam is set to implement seven significant policies from July 1, 2024, aimed at reducing the financial burden on citizens for healthcare and promoting population initiatives. These policies encompass expanded health insurance benefits, extended maternity leave, mandatory HPV vaccination, increased salaries and allowances for medical professionals, and the decentralization of medical licensing. Regarding health insurance (BHYT), previously high out-of-pocket expenses for certain out-of-network outpatient treatments will now be partially covered by BHYT, with a 50% reimbursement under specific conditions. For medical costs below 3.795 million VND, BHYT will cover the full amount for in-network services and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for out-of-network care. Furthermore, individuals insured continuously for five years or more will have 100% of their covered medical expenses paid by BHYT once their annual co-payments exceed six months of the base salary. In terms of population policy, the newly effective Population Law empowers couples to make more informed decisions regarding the timing and number of children. Specifically, maternity leave for women giving birth to their second child will be extended from six to seven months, with fathers also granted 10 days of paternity leave. Additionally, a one-time support of 2 million VND will be provided to certain ethnic minority women, women who have two children before the age of 35, and those giving birth in regions with low fertility rates. From a public health perspective, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be included as a mandatory vaccination under the Expanded Immunization Program. This initiative aims to prevent not only cervical cancer but also other HPV-related diseases for both genders. A state compensation system will also be established for severe adverse reactions resulting from mandatory vaccinations. In healthcare administration, the authority for issuing and managing medical practice licenses, previously held by the Ministry of Health, will be transferred to the provincial People's Committee chairpersons. This move is intended to foster more efficient and responsive healthcare management at the local level. Improvements in the remuneration of healthcare professionals are also being implemented. Effective July 1, the base salary will increase to 2.53 million VND per month, leading to higher incomes for doctors based on their professional ranks. New special allowances for specific medical procedures such as surgery and anesthesia will also be introduced, aiming to boost morale in the medical field. These policies represent a significant step towards the Vietnamese government's consistent goals of strengthening universal health coverage, addressing demographic challenges, and enhancing the quality of medical services. The reduction in healthcare costs, in particular, is expected to directly contribute to the stability of citizens' livelihoods. Source: VnExpress