Vietnam keen for WHO support to improve preventive healthcare system
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed the country’s wish to get further support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to restructure and solidify its preventive healthcare system during a reception for Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, regional director of the WHO for the Western Pacific, on May 13 in Hanoi.
At the meeting, Deputy PM Ha underlined the significance of the system in providing initial healthcare and detecting diseases early on, asking the Ministry of Health to co-operate, share its plans, programmes, and activities that need consultations from the international health organization.
As one of 15 recipients of mRNA technology from the WHO, the nation needs more practical assistance to improve its research and production of vaccines, help in combatting both emerging diseases and re-emerging ones like measles and tuberculosis, whilst developing other products to serve locals’ demand for disease prevention and treatment, the Deputy PM emphasized.
The nation remains highly interested in the production, purchase, and distribution of items such as medicine, vaccines, and biologicals, he said. The Deputy PM went on to suggest that the WHO dispatch experts to help the country finalise purchasing and bidding mechanisms, regulations, and procedures to ensure long-term and stable supply of pharmaceuticals.
He noted the country’s appreciation for the WHO’s role in co-ordinating and connecting the whole world in the healthcare industry. Indeed, the country’s medical and healthcare policies have been backed by the consultation and assistance from the WHO specialists, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy PM Ha told his guest.
Describing healthcare security as a non-traditional security issue, he stated that the policies must go alongside the issue of environmental protection.
Regarding e-cigarettes, he assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health to evaluate their impact on public health, especially adolescents, whilst considering the WHO’s recommendations to work out suitable management solutions.
In response, Dr. Piukala highlighted several priorities in the WHO's support for Vietnam, with a focus on improving preventive healthcare system’s capacity, improving the environment, ensuring healthcare security, and controlling e-cigarettes.
The healthier the people, the more sustainable socio-economic development the country secures, he said, therefore pledging even greater support for the nation in public healthcare work that contributes to both regional and global sustainable development.
