Health in Vietnam: Achievements& Challenges

Doi Moi or Renovation in Vietnam started in 1986, when we had the sixth National Congress of the Party and then after that country moved from Centrally-planned economy to open market economy. In 1989, the Vietnamese Government initiated a wide-ranging health reform programme known as Doi Moi (renovation). For more equitable and efficient health planning and policy making process in Vietnam, the evidence on achievements and challenges of health system in Vietnam is necessary. Therefore this paper aims to describe the achievements and challenges of the health system in Vietnam over the last three decades. In fact, together with the developments in socio-economic status of the country, health status and health system indicators in Vietnam have been significantly improved. Vietnam has made impressive progress relating to health status of the people, and the rates of improvement are equal or surpass those in most neighboring countries. These outcomes have resulted from a widespread health care delivery network, an increasing number of qualified health workers, and expanding national public health programs. However, there are still a number of challenges the health system in Vietnam are facing such as 1) Health status: NCDs and their risk factors, ageing, old and new infections diseases, climate change related health problems, etc.; 2) Health system: Have not been well prepared for dealing with the new problems, especially primary health care level. Financial protection impacts of health and health financing policies are still modest. Inappropriate provider payment methods. Shortage of health human resources in disadvantaged areas; and 3) Inequities in health and health cares