The accord was the outcome of a conference between eight donors, three international organisations, four UN agencies and eight civil organizations that operate in Vietnam’s public health sector.
By signing the accord, the Ministry of Health hopes to attract international assistance to improve the management and policy-making capabilities of the development of public health. The ministry also asked its partners to increase their investment in grassroots medical services, particularly in remote and mountainous areas, hi-tech and preventative medicine services, food hygiene and medical treatment.
Other areas that need international aid include human resource development, population and family planning services, and health care for mothers and children.
The Ministry of Health and its partners vowed to promote the nation’s role in the development process, set up effective partnerships, and provide assistance while ensuring regular progress reports.
Sean Doyle, Ambassador and Head of the European Commission Mission in Vietnam, said the accord comes at a time when the financial crisis is squeezing the State budget, requiring more effective application of international aid.
The accord sets a roadmap towards an improved, modern and equal healthcare system in Vietnam, the EC mission head concluded.
Health Minister Nguyen Quoc Trieu reported at the conference that the State budget for the medical sector is expected to reach VND 23.35 trillion (US$1.3 billion) in 2009, while total spending is estimated at 5-6 percent of GDP, or US$45 per capita per year.
However, the State budget makes up only 30 percent of all medical costs, even smaller than some low-income countries, Mr. Trieu admitted.
Theo VietNamNet/VOV