Health insurance contributes to improving people's health

In Son La province, health insurance has been affirming its role as one of the important social security policies to ensure that all people enjoy primary health care, especially for disadvantaged groups, ethnic minorities, extremely difficult areas, and border areas. Therefore, Son La Provincial Social Insurance has deployed many solutions to effectively implement health insurance policies in the area.

We came to Chieng On commune, one of the most disadvantaged communes in Yen Chau district (Son La). The people here are mainly ethnic minorities such as Xinh Mun, Mong, Thai, etc., mainly cultivating crops on the fields, so the income of households is still very difficult. The effective implementation of health insurance policy to the people here has contributed to the primary health care for the people.

Health insurance has affirmed its role as one of the important social security policies in Son La province. Photo: Van Ngoc

Ms. Lo Thi Dung, Khuong village, Chieng On commune, Yen Chau district (Son La) shared: Her family has 8 people. The family's income is mainly from growing corn and sugarcane, so they still face many difficulties. Her family is supported by the state with health insurance, which is a great source of encouragement for her family. Every time she is sick, her family goes to the doctor and is supported by health insurance. Thereby, it helps her family to somewhat ease the current difficulties. Her family can work with peace of mind, develop the economy, and strive to get rich. Later, when they are no longer supported by health insurance, her family will also have some money to buy health insurance, taking care of the health of family members.

Mr. Quang Van Dao, Head of the Chieng On Commune Health Station, Yen Chau District (Son La) shared: In the area of ​​​​the commune with many difficulties in the district, in recent years, the Chieng On Commune Health Station has effectively implemented the health insurance policy in the area. The support of the state has contributed to increasing the health insurance coverage rate; creating conditions for ethnic minorities to continue to enjoy health insurance policies, receive health care, and reduce the financial burden if they are unfortunately sick or ill. From there, they can rise up, develop a sustainable economy and be able to pay for health insurance themselves.

Ms. Lo Thi Dung, Khuong village, Chieng On commune, Yen Chau district (Son La) takes her grandchild to the commune health station for examination under the health insurance regime. Photo: Van Ngoc

Strive for health insurance coverage

Striving to achieve the target of 96.1% of the population covered by health insurance by 2024, the People's Committee of Son La province has sent an open letter to all levels, sectors, agencies, units, and enterprises, calling for the purchase of health insurance cards to give to people in difficult circumstances. By the end of July, the whole province had 1,251,911 people participating in health insurance, the coverage rate reached 95.3% of the population.

With the goal of "Leaving no one behind", the Provincial People's Committee calls for the generosity of units, businesses, and philanthropists to join hands; agencies and units mobilize cadres, civil servants, and public employees to each donate at least 1 health insurance card to people in difficult circumstances who are not supported by the state budget.

Son La province strives to complete the target of reaching 96.1% of the population in the area with health insurance coverage by 2024. Photo: Van Ngoc

With the goal achieved, the Social Insurance sector of Son La province actively consulted with leaders, Party committees and local authorities to continue to effectively implement Resolution No. 125/NQ-CP of the Government on implementing social insurance policies.

Innovate the content, form, and methods of communication in a diverse and flexible manner that is suitable to local customs and practices. Resolve and pay social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance benefits to participants in a timely and complete manner; coordinate with the health sector to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment to ensure the rights of people with health insurance cards. Strengthen the inspection and examination of employers and health insurance examination and treatment facilities.

Mr. Dinh Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of Son La Provincial Social Insurance, informed: With the spirit of mutual love, sharing risks between the healthy and the sick, between the young and the old, between the high-income earners and the low-income earners, the Provincial Social Insurance has launched a campaign for each cadre and civil servant to contribute at least 50,000 VND per month to the "Savings to donate health insurance cards" Fund. Along with that, directing specialized departments to actively mobilize agencies, units, organizations, individuals and businesses to join hands to contribute to buying health insurance cards for people in difficult circumstances.

All levels and sectors in Son La province promote propaganda about health insurance policy. Photo: Van Ngoc

The movement to buy health insurance cards for people in difficult circumstances has been actively responded to by Party committees, authorities at all levels, agencies, units and enterprises in the province, contributing to the completion of health insurance coverage targets and towards universal health insurance, so that everyone is protected, cared for, and has their health reduced when they are unfortunately sick, ill or have an accident.

Although there are still difficulties and limitations, it must be affirmed that the implementation of health insurance policies for ethnic minorities in disadvantaged areas has contributed to reducing the burden of medical examination and treatment costs, improving the quality of care, protecting health as well as the quality of life for people.

In the coming time, the Social Insurance sector of Son La province will continue to coordinate with related sectors to promote information, propaganda, and raise awareness for people, especially ethnic minorities, to understand the rights and responsibilities when using health insurance cards; at the same time, guide ethnic minorities to install and use the health insurance card image on the VssID-BHXH digital application or use chip-embedded citizen identification cards for health insurance examination and treatment, helping ethnic minorities in difficult areas to enjoy full benefits when going to see a doctor.

Van Ngoc