Health insurance is one of the most important pillars of the social policy of the party and state. Therefore, expanding health insurance is an urgent measure to improve health care and health protection of the population. Particularly for people with serious illnesses, chronic illnesses or after accidents with high treatment costs, health insurance offers important support and protection in order to reduce the financial burden and prevent financial ruin in the event of treatment.
In fact, in recent times, many patients with serious illnesses treated in medical institutions have received significant financial support from the Health Insurance Fund. A typical example is patient PKN (Duc Tho Municipality), who suffered from left-sided pleural effusion requiring puncture, moderate mitral valve stenosis, severe mitral valve insufficiency, moderate aortic valve insufficiency, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and right kidney failure and was treated at the provincial hospital. Patient N. had to be transferred to more specialized hospitals several times for treatment. According to the Provincial Social Insurance Agency, the total amount of assistance provided by the Health Insurance Fund to Patient N. was almost VND 1 billion.
Another case is Ms. LTV (municipality of Can Loc), who suffered from cancer of the esophagus and throat. She had to receive treatment at provincial and federal medical facilities for months. The total costs covered by Ms. V’s health insurance during her treatment amounted to over VND 300 million. According to Ms. V., health insurance has a profound humanitarian significance and serves as a “lifeline” for people with serious illnesses like her and other patients in difficult life situations. Without health insurance, her family almost certainly would not have been able to cover the cost of treatment.
Dr. Vo Van Phuong, head of the Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Provincial Hospital, said: “Cancer treatment is a long and costly battle. Each treatment cycle can cost tens of millions of dong, and patients have to endure numerous treatment sessions. Therefore, without health insurance coverage, it would be very difficult for families in difficult circumstances, middle-income families and low-income families to complete the treatment. For this reason, health insurance is an important support system for patients with serious illnesses.”
Many people with chronic illnesses would face numerous challenges without health insurance. Mr. NVT (from Ky Thuong township) said: “Due to my kidney failure, I have to go to Ky Anh Hospital for hemodialysis three times a week. Thanks to my health insurance card, I only pay the travel costs; the dialysis itself is covered by the health insurance company. Without a health insurance card, I would not be able to afford the treatment and make a living in my difficult situation.”
It is known that there are currently hundreds of patients in the province who require hemodialysis three times a week in medical institutions such as Provincial Hospital, Duc Tho Medical Center, Ky Anh Town General Hospital, etc. Most of these patients come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and have limited employability. The costs for dialysis are very high on a weekly basis and are incurred almost for life. Without the costs being covered by health insurance, further treatment would hardly be possible.
Given the crucial role of health insurance, the resolution of the 20th Provincial Party Congress set the goal of achieving comprehensive health insurance by 2030 and thus creating the conditions for sustainable access to health care. To achieve this goal, the Provincial Social Security Institute and local authorities have increased their efforts to mobilize donations from organizations, companies and individuals to donate health insurance cards to citizens, students and people in difficult life situations with insecure income. The total number of health insurance cards donated since 2025 is over 2,249.
Specifically, the health sector recommended the adoption of Resolution 182/2025/NQ-HĐND to the Provincial People’s Council on the instructions of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People’s Committee. This extends support for the purchase of health insurance cards for seniors between 65 and under 70 to 70%. According to impact assessments, almost 13,000 seniors between 65 and under 70 years of age will benefit from this support each year, 70% of the cost of which will be borne by the provincial budget. The total cost is over VND 11 billion per year.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Director of the Ministry of Health, emphasized: Practical experience shows that health insurance plays a central role in improving the quality of health protection and health care of the population. Therefore, mobilizing resources for the donation of health insurance cards and expanding support for the purchase of health insurance cards will enable more people to access medical services, reduce the financial burden on families and society, and spread the message of “no one should be left behind.”
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date: 2026-02-09 01:45:00
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