The people’s low participation in social and health insurance systems, a risk of pension funds shutting down in a decade, an aging society and social insurance management incompetence have posed pressing issues to state agencies in time of building a complete social welfare system in Vietnam.

These issues were also debated at a seminar held in Hanoi on September 24 during which Japan’s social welfare experience was shared with Vietnamese researchers, ministry and National Assembly officials.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Addressing the function, VASS Deputy Director Dr. Nguyen Giang Hai described social welfare as a core policy that is decisive to stable and sustainable development of a country.

It also contributes to reducing inequality and harms caused by risks in the daily life for each individual and the whole community, Hai added.

Participants agreed that in Vietnam health and social insurance coverage still remains low.

Prof. Hiroi Yoshinori from Chiba University of Japan suggested the formation of local funds covering medical check-ups and treatment for local people and the funds should be managed by provincial authorities or mass organisations.-VNA