The European Union (EU) will sign a major cooperation program worth EUR114 million in October or November to help the Vietnamese government improve the quality of healthcare services in the poorest provinces in the 2015-2017 period. The funding, following the successful five-year implementation of the Health Sector Capacity Support Project (HSCSP), aims to help poor people buy health insurance polices. HSCSP project is the representation of the EU pledges to help Vietnam’s health sector strengthen institutional capacity of managing better healthcare services, EU Ambassador in Vietnam Franz Jessen said at a meeting in Hanoi on Sept 16. The HSCSP will focus on improving access to high quality healthcare services, reducing financial risks for patients and families, especially for the poor, and those required to pay healthcare service fees, and enhancing the efficiency of preventive medical services, he noted. From 2009 to September 2014, the EU and the Government of Luxembourg have provided EUR14.75 million for medical reforms as the way to improve people’s health thanks to improved examination and treatment. (Nguoi Lao Dong – Laborer Sept 17 p13, Thanh Nien – Young People Sept 17 p2)
