WHO called to help Vietnam improve public health care

She made the proposal at a reception for WHO Director-General Margaret Chan in Hanoi on April 10.

The legislator hoped the WHO will continue providing and updating health information in Vietnam as well as in the region and beyond, while supporting the country in improving capacity for health workers, especially at the grassroots level.

She noted that the active assistance and cooperation of the WHO over the past few years have helped Vietnam gain significant accomplishments in improving public health care and realising the UN millennium development goals.

Vietnam is particularly interested in developing health care network at the grassroots level, especially in disadvantaged and border areas, she said.

The Vietnamese legislature has promulgated a number of legal documents such as law on public health protection, law on HIV/AIDS prevention and law on communicable disease prevention, creating an effective legal corridor for public health care activities, she added.

The National Assembly has closely monitored the implementation of health policies of the Government, Health Ministry and relevant agencies to better public medical care in ethnic minority regions.

Phong also thanked the WHO for providing financial aid for Vietnam’s health sector and affirmed this source has been used effectively in the country.

For her part, Director-General Margaret Chan recognised the crucial role of the Vietnamese NA in building and promulgating important laws to reform the medical system.

She said the WHO is willing to help and share global experience with Vietnam in the field.

The Director-General suggested the Vietnamese Government push ahead with improving public health care and medical stations at district and commune levels, including training family doctors.

She also recommended building regulations on the operation of private health facilities under the management of the State.