Like the national healthcare system, the healthcare sector in the Central Highlands has seen significant progresses. One of factors to narrow the distance and bring healthcare sectors to the Central Highland people, especially the poor and ethnic minorities, is the sound policies of the Party and State, especially health projects funded by the Government as well as domestic and international organisations. Since 2004, the Central Highland Healthcare project has been implemented and produced remarkable results.
The project invested by the Ministry of Health has been carried out in five Central Highland provinces of Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong with the main objectives of improving service quality and heightening abilities of using and paying for health services, especially for poor people and ethnic minorities. The project, kicked off in 2004 and scheduled for completion in 2009, has a total investment capital of US$30,579,000, in which the Asian Development Bank (ADB) finances US$20,000,000, Sweden US$5,579,000 and Vietnam US$5,000,000.
In Dak Lak province, the Project Management Board was set up under the governance of the People’s Committee. The project has invested in upgrading infrastructure and equipment in such beneficiary units as the Medical School, Health Propaganda and Education Centre, Eye Centre, general hospitals in EaSoup, M’ Drak, Krong Bong and Krong Pak districts. The financing for these units is very effective.
According to statistics of the health sector, up to 96.65 per cent of Central Highland residents used medical services in grassroots health units because they are unaffordable for treatments and diagnoses in provincial and regional hospitals. Thus, the project has given much support for the health sector. In addition to financing beneficiary units to upgrade infrastructure, the project has also funded them to buy office equipment like computers, photocopiers, document cabinets, vehicles and medical equipment. Last but not least, the project also helped train nearly 1,000 health workers.
Apart from financing infrastructure and equipment upgrading, the project also funded treatments for local people. This is a very practical activity because local residents can enjoy better health services.
Beneficiary patients not only received free treatments and medicines but also were supported VND10,000 each for meal a day and VND30,000 for home return. If they must be treated at other hospitals, they will have their meal aid doubled to VND20,000 each a day.
In late 2009, the project will be completed. However, it is imperatively necessary to continue project achievements. Hopefully, local authorities and social organisations will sound policies to promote the project results.
Lan Anh
Vietnamese
