With continuous support from the international community, Vietnam could ensure healthcare and welfare programmes are successful, she said.

On health care reform, Minister Tien underscored the goal of building an appropriate and sustainable healthcare system, adding that Vietnam is strengthening medical establishments, particularly community medical stations, as well as family doctor models and services in public hospitals.

Vietnam also looks to develop health insurance for the whole population, which currently covers only 82% of the total, including government subsidies for the poor, the disabled and ethnic minorities.

The Health Ministry pays adequate attention to medical staff training and pooling social resources to cope with infectious diseases, she said, adding that Vietnam leads the region in implementing the global health security programme in this regard.

According to her, the Vietnamese government issued a national action programme to carry out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to ensure the involvement of the government and the public for common goals.

The 70th session of the World Health Assembly gathered nearly 3,500 delegates from 194 WHO member states who considered financial policies and the 2018-2019 budget. They discussed the WHO response to emergency medical cases, polio, non-communicable diseases, antibiotic resistance, access to medicines and vaccines as well as the health of refugees and migrants, among other topics.

Participants also looked into preparations for the UN General Assembly’s High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases scheduled for September 2018.