ID :
9796
Wed, 06/11/2008 - 12:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/9796
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Expanding health protection schemes
(KPL) Locals and foreign officials met in Vientiane last Friday to discuss the expansion of health protection schemes throughout the country.
"There are five health protection schemes," said Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Khamhoung Heuangvongsy. "These systems are now in place as a pilot scheme. We want a system of healthcare security that is sustainable and everyone can access equally."
Around 70,000 employees have been registered under the social security system and about 65,000 of them belong to government health insurance scheme.
Since 1997, the government has followed a policy of free treatment for poor people and hospital charges for everyone, under the Prime Minister's Decree No 52.
An evaluation by the ministry found that most healthcare schemes focused on Vientiane and provinces where the population is relatively wealthy, while people in rural areas, coming from certain ethnic groups or poor do not benefit from these schemes. - KPL
"There are five health protection schemes," said Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr Khamhoung Heuangvongsy. "These systems are now in place as a pilot scheme. We want a system of healthcare security that is sustainable and everyone can access equally."
Around 70,000 employees have been registered under the social security system and about 65,000 of them belong to government health insurance scheme.
Since 1997, the government has followed a policy of free treatment for poor people and hospital charges for everyone, under the Prime Minister's Decree No 52.
An evaluation by the ministry found that most healthcare schemes focused on Vientiane and provinces where the population is relatively wealthy, while people in rural areas, coming from certain ethnic groups or poor do not benefit from these schemes. - KPL
