Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hailed Vietnam’s achievements in the health sector over the past 60 years at a meeting to mark the 55th Doctors’ Day (February 27).
Addressing the meeting held by the Ministry of Health on February 24 in Hanoi, the PM said there were still a lot of challenges to improve healthcare services.
Dung said more investment was needed in preventative health and national targeted programs, ensuring universal access and improving procedures for healthcare insurance for the poor, receivers of welfare and ethnic minorities.
The PM asked for more initiative in preventing diseases and pandemics.
In addition, he reminded medical workers to follow the model of Ho Chi Minh to serve patients better.
On the occasion, the PM cut the ribbon to open the heart center in Hanoi’s Hospital E.
On the same day, President Nguyen Minh Triet urged the health sector to expand its grassroots network, especially in remote areas. He stressed the need for better training, more investment in domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, support for scientific research, preventive healthcare, and drug and vaccine production.
Among countries that have the same GDP per capita, Vietnam provides outstanding healthcare services, according to the United Nations Development Program.
The Health Ministry reported the sector fulfilled all of its 19 objectives set by the National Assembly and government in 2009. Four key targets were to reduce child malnutrition and the national birth rate, improve hospital waste treatment and provide more hospital beds.
State President Triet decided to grant 73 People’s Doctor Titles, and 1,233 excellent doctor titles to medical practitioners. The PM also issued flags to recognize achievements of 11 hospitals. In addition, he applauded 26 hospitals and 31 individuals for following the campaign to follow the model of Uncle Ho.
