What are the new points in the country’s COVID-19 prevention and control strategy this year?

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other experts, the pandemic is not likely to end before 2023. Therefore, prevention and control will continue to be a top priority for Vietnam.

The healthcare sector will make more efforts in implementing all possible measures against the global health crisis. The strategy will be carried out in line with Resolution No.128/NQ-CP from October, promoting provisional regulations on safe, flexible adaptation to and effective control of COVID-19, with focus on some key issues.

A priority is to increase vaccination coverage, especially the third shot for citizens aged 18 and older, covering the vaccination rate for children aged 12-18, and preparing for the shot for children aged 5-11.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has made a careful and comprehensive assessment for vaccinations for children aged 5-11. The ministry closely and regularly discussed with the WHO and other scientists and learned lessons from countries worldwide about the issue, while keeping a close eye on the information about the vaccines approved for them, and possible side effects.

The WHO has officially approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for this age group and, currently, nearly 40 countries and territories have made plans and carried out such vaccinations. The MoH has so far negotiated with partners and suppliers to ensure enough vaccines for children.

Next, we will continue to promote the 5K message of face masks, disinfection, distancing, no gatherings, and health declarations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Lastly, we will strengthen the capacity of the healthcare system, especially the response capacity, to ensure that it is able to cope with all health events in all circumstances.

What proposals will the MoH submit to the government to increase benefits for healthcare workers?

COVID-19 has made wide and deep impacts on the healthcare sector, and healthcare workers’ incomes and related policies are all affected. The MoH has worked with relevant ministries and agencies on an appropriate increase in allowances, and special treatment for healthcare workers who work in pandemic-hit areas, and submitted it to the government.

Moreover, we find long-term special treatment for them is very important. The MoH and relevant ministries and agencies reported to the authorised agencies so that we will have supporting policies and special treatment for them, especially those at grassroots health facilities and in preventive health. In principle, authorised agencies agreed with the increase of allowances for preventive healthcare workers and those at grassroots health facilities.

In 2022, the MoH will continue to tweak the financial mechanisms towards these areas in order to improve the quality of healthcare diagnosis and treatment, thus increasing healthcare workers’ incomes.

What other operational changes will the sector see this year?

The healthcare sector focuses on policymaking and is submitting draft laws to the National Assembly. They include the draft amendments to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment; the draft revision of the Law on Medical Insurance; the draft amendments to the Law on Pharmacy; and the draft Law on Medical Devices.

We continue to complete legal documents to give guidance and intensify state management in the sector.

Moreover, the healthcare sector will strengthen rules and tighten state management on licensing quality, public procurement, and tenders of drugs and medical devices to ensure transparency and conformity to the prevailing rules; and prevent negative phenomena in procurement and tenders.

We will also increase awareness, as well as build a mechanism to ensure transparency and operational efficiency in the sector.