In an effort to strengthen cooperation on health insurance policy and tackle challenges posed by an aging population, officials from Vietnam and China recently held discussions aimed at long-term healthcare solutions. The talks highlighted the growing need for efficient health insurance systems, particularly in addressing elderly care, as both nations grapple with aging demographics.
The delegation from Vietnam Social Security (VSS), led by Deputy General Director Nguyen Duc Hoa, visited China in August to foster bilateral cooperation on health insurance. The visit followed the State visit of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam to China earlier in August 2024, marking it as the first high-level meeting between the two countries since.
During their stay, the Vietnamese delegation engaged in extensive talks with several key Chinese authorities, including the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), National Health Commission, and National Medical Products Administration. Discussions revolved around critical issues such as the implementation of universal health insurance, decentralised healthcare management, and developing sustainable solutions for elderly care.
A central focus of the talks was the creation of a health insurance drug list and refining bidding procedures for national procurement of medical supplies. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to enhancing cooperation, building upon agreements made by top leaders of both nations to align their social security and healthcare initiatives.
China’s NHSA, which oversees health insurance policy and fund management, provided an overview of its achievements. With health insurance coverage extending to more than 97% of the population, China’s multi-layered system supports around 370 million employees and 960 million urban and rural residents. The country’s health insurance fund stands at nearly $700 billion, covering a list of 3,088 medicines, while centralised procurement strategies have significantly cut costs and bolstered the system’s efficiency.
In addition, China has leveraged technology to improve health insurance management. Over 400,000 medical institutions and pharmacies are now connected to the NHSA’s real-time data system, enabling better monitoring of health insurance claims and payments.
NHSA officials emphasized their interest in deepening cooperation with Vietnam, and VSS welcomed the prospect of further collaboration. Nguyen Duc Hoa extended an invitation to NHSA leaders to visit Vietnam, aiming to build on the progress made during the August talks and continue exploring shared solutions for elderly healthcare and health insurance management.
Both countries, facing the challenges of aging populations, view this collaboration as a vital step toward ensuring sustainable and efficient health insurance systems for their citizens.
Related topics:
