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Healthcare System News |
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Given Vietnam’s tumultuous history and its once extreme poverty levels, the healthcare industry is actually faring better than one would think. This level of improvement continues at a steady pace, being comparable or even exceeding the growth and improvement of other neighboring countries. Vietnam’s healthcare system is directly tied to the other factors of its growth, such as poverty reduction and economic liberalization programs, all of which are going through radical transitions and improvements, and is thus experiencing new and positive change itself.
For many decades the healthcare system was under direct control of the strong central government through the Ministry of Health (MOH). Since the moi doi “renovation” policies of 1986 and subsequent economic liberalization, however, the government’s ability to control this entity has waned. This shift is also accredited to more significant out of pocket expenses, the ever expanding private sector, and the decentralization of government fiscally. These shifts have led to the implementation of new policies and programs such as healthcare funding for lower income families and individuals and better health insurance premiums and policies. These are the first steps in what hope to be the overhaul of the old system to a composite system for health finance.
The improvements made over time are clearly visible in the figures presented. For life expectancy adjusted for years lost to disabilities Vietnam is 116th out of 191 World Health Organization countries, this is comparable to other much wealthier nations such as Brazil and Greece. Infant mortality rates have improved as well. There have also been great improvements in the control of diseases treated by vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria, and the measles, with polio being eliminated completely in 1996. Reproductive health has enjoyed positive gains, with the fertility rate dropping from 3.8 in the late 80s to 1.9 entering the 21st century.
While improvements abound, there still remain many difficult issues for the healthcare industry that have yet to be successfully addressed. One of the issues are the imbalance of services depending on region, ethnicity and income level that ultimately creates a rift between those who can afford quality healthcare and those who cannot. This issue has been exacerbated by the recent pandemics such as the Avian Influenza, SARS, and most recently the H1N1 swine flu. The question of HIV/AIDS is also a serious problem; while most cases of the disease have been under control, there is a threat of the disease expanding from smaller contained susceptible groups to larger circles and ultimately the general populace.
This being said, Vietnam has been able to achieve a lot considering its relative underfunding to healthcare and the limited resources that can be dedicated it.
Around 6% of its total GDP is dedicated to healthcare for both private and public expenditure. Of this amount, about only a quarter is direct public spending, which is indicative of the growing independent and private sector that is taking the helm of leadership in improving services nationwide. While the government provides the base, the private sector is effectively mobilizing the country to a greater level of health awareness and investment. This out of pocket approach, in tandem with an ever growing and expanding export driven economy, will no doubt continue to improve Vietnam’s healthcare system well into the next century.
As for the expatriate and foreign traveler, above average medical treatments are readily available in Vietnam. Such examples are the Franco-Vietnamese Hospital in Saigon that excels at treating patients who suffered strokes as well as cardiac related issues. A number of smaller facilities exist like the Columbia Clinic in Saigon that hosts an international contingent of practitioners from France, the United States and many other parts of the globe. Vietnam also hosts a strong tradition in oriental medicine, and is still a popular and effective method of curing certain ailments.
The growing and developing health sector ensures that these and many other institutions of this type, along with a strong base in traditional medicine, will be able to match the quality healthcare that you should expect on any travels or long duration stays in Vietnam. It is important to obtain a comprehensive health insurance policy that will allow you to take advantage of these services, without hassle or concern about how it will affect your finances or travel plans.
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Vietnam Expat Health Insurance |
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If you are an expat and plan on moving to or travel through Vietnam, expat health insurance can provide you some of the most extensive medical coverage available. For more information about the Vietnam, international medical insurance that we can provide, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today. |
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