Experts have called for more funds to improve healthcare services for people living in island areas.
This was revealed at an online talk organised by the Vietnam Government news portal on July 2.
Atthe event, experts from the health sector said that health service inthe sea and islands was facing many challenges due to shortages ofmedical facilities and human resources.
The healthcare sectoralso faces difficulties in increasing health insurance coverage in theareas due to shortcomings in the payment methods, the cost of first-aid -and difficulties with sea transport.
Deputy Minister of HealthPham Le Tuan said that first priority should be given to protect thoseliving in sea and island areas, especially fishermen.
"Other keypriorities must be focused on strengthening the capacity of island-basedmedical centres, units to transport patients to mainland hospitals andsearch and rescue centres," said Tuan.
He predicted that between 35-40 percent of the country's population will live in coastal and island areas by 2020.
Sohealth care for these people must become strong and comprehensive,breakthrough in efforts to ensure health care and protection formillions of people in coming years, added Tuan.
Vietnam InsuranceAgency’s Deputy Director Nguyen Minh Thao said that in sea and islandareas, health cover was below 50 percent, compared to the average ratefor the country of 60 percent.
Director of the Maritime MedicineInstitute Nguyen Truong Son said that residents of sea and island areashad paid little attention to health care.
He said this was why it was important to strengthen awareness, especially in teaching people how to take care of themselves.
Survey results show that most fishing boats are not equipped with emergency kits or medicine boxes, said Son.
Statisticsshow that good progress has been made in one year developing the healthproject for the sea and islands. It was approved by the Prime Ministerin February, 2013.
In the period, more than 1,640 patientsreceived first aid, 32,070 were given treatment and 758 receivedsurgery. Seven patients were saved by sending them to mainland hospitalsby helicopter.-VNA
This was revealed at an online talk organised by the Vietnam Government news portal on July 2.
Atthe event, experts from the health sector said that health service inthe sea and islands was facing many challenges due to shortages ofmedical facilities and human resources.
The healthcare sectoralso faces difficulties in increasing health insurance coverage in theareas due to shortcomings in the payment methods, the cost of first-aid -and difficulties with sea transport.
Deputy Minister of HealthPham Le Tuan said that first priority should be given to protect thoseliving in sea and island areas, especially fishermen.
"Other keypriorities must be focused on strengthening the capacity of island-basedmedical centres, units to transport patients to mainland hospitals andsearch and rescue centres," said Tuan.
He predicted that between 35-40 percent of the country's population will live in coastal and island areas by 2020.
Sohealth care for these people must become strong and comprehensive,breakthrough in efforts to ensure health care and protection formillions of people in coming years, added Tuan.
Vietnam InsuranceAgency’s Deputy Director Nguyen Minh Thao said that in sea and islandareas, health cover was below 50 percent, compared to the average ratefor the country of 60 percent.
Director of the Maritime MedicineInstitute Nguyen Truong Son said that residents of sea and island areashad paid little attention to health care.
He said this was why it was important to strengthen awareness, especially in teaching people how to take care of themselves.
Survey results show that most fishing boats are not equipped with emergency kits or medicine boxes, said Son.
Statisticsshow that good progress has been made in one year developing the healthproject for the sea and islands. It was approved by the Prime Ministerin February, 2013.
In the period, more than 1,640 patientsreceived first aid, 32,070 were given treatment and 758 receivedsurgery. Seven patients were saved by sending them to mainland hospitalsby helicopter.-VNA
