First Health Partnership Group Meeting 2019: Viet Nam Health Policy Reform

The Health Partnership Group meeting is a high-level policy dialogue forum for the Ministry of Health and Development Partners to discuss the issues following policies, strategies, and plans in the Health Sector; in order to increase the effectiveness of development and support activities for the Health Sector.

The cooperative group meeting in the first quarter of 2019 is an opportunity for the Ministry of Health to share with partners on healthcare policy reforms in the future. At the same time, the Ministry of Health, ministries, departments, and partners discussed and made commitments and recommendations on cross-sectoral coordination, strengthening the partnerships and support of international partners to effectively implement the Ministry's policies and priorities in the upcoming time.

Presented at the conference, Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said: Implementing the global health policy and medical integration of Vietnam is to implement primary health care (Vietnam health program, constructing and developing grassroots health network, target population health program); covering universal health care (population, health services, financial protection) and implementing sustainable development goals. Implementing primary health care (PHC) towards covering universal health care (UHC), contributing to the implementation of Health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Vietnam.

At the conference, delegates also heard the Minister of Health presented Vietnamese innovations at health policy reform, factors affecting healthcare, the needs for healthcare, the inadequacies and innovation in the provision of health services, medical homes in Vietnam.

According to Dr. Kidong Park: Vietnam has accomplished an excellent job improving the universal health insurance program, financial protection for the population, and further expanding health services to district and commune levels... However, Healthcare in Vietnam is still facing many challenges such as the increase of non-communicable diseases, aging population ... The representative of WHO in Vietnam believes that Vietnam will overcome these challenges by covering universal healthcare and renewing health programs. WHO is committed to supporting and accompanying Vietnam to ensure the financial support for the population, improve the quality of health services,  and ensure the safety and effectiveness of essential medicines for everyone. Dr. Kidong Park calling for health partners to accompany WHO on the road to Vietnam's goal. WHO is committed to cooperating with international organizations and Vietnamese partners in implementing Vietnam healthcare programs, committing to work with the Ministry of Health to implement the goals set by the program.