More than 600,000 people at risk of poverty in the Mekong Delta have been given 1.5 million USD to buy optional health insurance thanks to a regional healthcare project.

Since it kicked off in September 2007, the project, which is being carried out by the Health Ministry and is the first of its kind using official development assistance (ODA), has also helped more than 16,900 needy patients pay for their treatment.

These results were reported at a mid-term meeting held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on Sept. 24 by the Health Ministry and the World Bank to review the project and discuss plans for the four remaining months of this year and the 2010-2011 period.

The 85 million USD project aims to improve the healthcare system in the Mekong Delta, and increase the public’s access to, and use of, reasonably-priced healthcare services--particularly the poor.

By the end of 2011, the project plans to help support the payment of hospital fees in 13 provinces and cities in the region for the poor as well as for those at risk, and those with special difficulties, said the meeting.

It also plans to invest in high-tech equipment for hospitals in these areas in order to help low-incomer earners access advanced medical technology, and also assist 11 medical colleges and high schools in the region with medical equipment and fellowships.

Additionally, the project plans to enhance the quality of services at healthcare establishments, meeting the demand for health check-ups and treatment among people in the region as well as encouraging those at risk of poverty to join the optional healthcare insurance programme./.