Health cooperation program between Vietnam and WHO launched

Between January 2018 to December 2019, the two sides will cooperate to improve the performance of the sector, thus offering better and equally accessible health care services for all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable groups, while reducing the burden of contagious and non-communicable diseases and other health threats.

It will help the Vietnamese health sector provide quality service at the grass-roots level; improve the effective use of financial resources; and strengthen regulations on pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical products in order to ensure better access to basic medicines and medical technology.

According to the report of the Health Ministry, Vietnamese people’s health has been continuously improved. The rates of contagious disease infections and the fatality rates of mothers, newborns, and children under five years old have been reduced.  More people have access to clean water supply and hygienic toilets.

However, the country is facing challenges from the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and a rapidly ageing population.

A representative of the WHO in Vietnam said the program will focus three major objectives, including strengthening main functions of the Ministry of Health; building capacity and national partner relations to ensure community health security; and contributing to effective management of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The WHO will continue support the Vietnamese government in implementing goals on caring for and protecting people's health.

While Deputy Minister of Health Le Quang Cuong said that the WHO is always a trusted partner of Vietnam in the cause of protecting and improving people’s health. He also underlined the assistance the WHO has provided for Vietnam in many fields, such as disease prevention and treatment, policy consultation, and expert training, raising the managerial capability and expertise of the health sector./.