Earlier in the morning, NA deputies discussed the draft law on amendments and supplements to some articles of the Publishing Law. Almost all the deputies agreed on the need to revise and supplement the law to make it more in line with real circumstances and Vietnam ’s WTO commitments.

In the afternoon, the deputies heard a report on the implementation of the policies to encourage public participation in health care.

Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu delivered a report, which said Vietnam has made marked progress in encouraging public participation in health care, which has helped increase the number and quality of health care services.

Between 2002 and 2007, the government also provided provinces with nearly  VND4.75 trillion to support the implementation of a national disease, epidemic and HIV/AIDS prevention programme.

The network of local medical establishments has also been continually strengthened and developed. Vietnam currently has more than 30,000 private consulting rooms and 66 non-state hospitals. All communes and wards nationwide have medical workers, with more than 45 percent of communal medical stations meeting the national standards.

The government has made medical treatment a policy and budget priority for those who gave service to the country, the elderly, the poor, ethnic minority groups and children under six.

Minister Trieu said the government plans to prioritise investment for health care infrastructure, issue policies to encourage medical personnel to work in mountainous and poor areas, promote medical training and enhance the professional capacity of medical personnel at grassroots-level stations.

On May 21, the National Assembly will continue to debate the implementation of the policies to encourage public participation in health care for the people and the bill on civil service.