Eighty per cent of Vietnamese population will be insured by 2020, as part of a newly-ratified Government scheme aiming at accessing health insurance for all.
Statistics issued by Vietnam Social Insurance Agency estimates that about 57.8 million people have owned the health insurance cards, accounting for approximately 67 per cent of the total national population by May 2012.
Distribution of the cards among groups, for example farmers and rural workers, who have previously had a low rate of purchasing health insurance is set to be a focus of the initiative.
The Government will subsidise 100 per cent of premium for households living in underprivileged areas in mountainous provinces, where poorer households in rural areas earn an average income of VND401,000 – 520,000 ($19-$25) per month.
Students will receive a discounted rate of 50 per cent of the total expenses for buying the cards.
In addition, the construction of new hospitals, upgrading existing hospitals in Hanoi and HCM City are expected to be assist in reducing over crowding.
Source: VNS