VietNamNet Bridge – More than three quarters of the population are expected to be covered by health insurance by 2020.

A decision signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung tasked the People's Committees of 63 cities and provinces to cover 84.3 per cent of people by 2020.

By the end of 2015, as many as 75.4 per cent of the population are expected to have health insurance.

The proportion will be gradually increased by one to three per cent in the following years.

Several northern localities are expected to have especially high coverage rates such as Dien Bien and Hoa Binh (99 per cent); Tuyen Quang and Lao Cai (98.6 per cent); Ha Giang and Thai Nguyen (98.2 per cent); and Son La (98 per cent).

Prime Minister Dung ordered municipal and provincial People's Committees to direct Departments of Health and relevant units to map out plans to realise targets in line with local situations.

It is essential to promote awareness campaigns and create favourable conditions for local residents, especially those living in poverty, to register for and fully benefit from health insurance, the PM said.

He asked localities to encourage and support students and middle-income families in buying health insurance.

The Viet Nam Social Insurance Department was also urged to co-ordinate with local departments and sectors to disseminate information on the health insurance law.

National health insurance coverage in 2014 reached 71.6 per cent. Viet Nam's health insurance fund has thus far covered medical check-up expenses for a number of patients from disadvantaged families and ethnic minority groups.

VNS