A medical worker performs an examination on a patient at Sông Thương General Hospital in northern Bắc Giang Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee discussed the amendment to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment yesterday, which is built with patients at the centre. 

Topics included in the draft are strengthening the management of medical practitioners, improving their professional skills, the service quality of medical facilities, people’s accessibility to medical services, and enhancing decentralisation and administrative reforms. 

The document also reviewed and adjusted policies in healthcare for priority subjects, developing the emergency system in communities, and investing in grassroots healthcare. 

Following suggestions from deputies, the NA Committee for Social Affairs will also look into priority healthcare for the labour forces, developing the medical infrastructure in industrial parks and economic zones, and specific policies in medical examination and treatment for senior citizens. 

The meeting also discussed the authorities and factors that affect the pricing of medical examinations and treatment. 

It is noted that private facilities must price their services based on the guidelines issued by the health ministry and be transparent in this process. They are also subject to inspection on this matter.

On socialisation and mobilising public resources, the Government expects to make amendments to the State regulations by diversifying services, encouraging and creating favourable conditions for the establishment of social enterprises, as well as building medical facilities. 

Acting health minister Đào Hồng Lan said that the legislation, when realised, is expected to address the current challenges in the health sector. 

She added that this is a matter of necessity, as the State resources for the sector are yet to meet the demands of people, although the Government still plays a key role in investment in healthcare.

Acting health minister Đào Hồng Lan addresses the meeting. VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

Giving autonomy to hospitals is a step in the right direction, Lan said, as the move helps increase the sense of responsibility, innovation, and capacity in providing medical services. 

Hoàng Thanh Tùng, chairman of the NA Committee for Legal Affairs commented that the draft law is receiving suggestions for adjustment, however, this is a difficult project with multiple segments requiring thorough evaluation. 

NA vice chairman Nguyễn Khắc Định emphasised that the approval of this amended law is an urgent matter, which will help improve healthcare for the people and the operation in the sector. 

He urged the units in charge to soon finish their work and ensure its quality before submitting the draft to the NA for approval. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, NA standing vice chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn said that this law is crucial to the health sector, providing a guideline for the management and sustainable development in healthcare. 

It will have a major impact on the people as well as medical workers and facilities, he said. 

However, he advised that relevant units, while looking forward to the revised law, should not hurry. They should make careful preparations and ensure the quality, feasibility, and extended relevance of the law, rather than keep making amendments every year. 

Mẫn said: “The drafting and monitoring units need to actively coordinate in the best spirit, preparing the project according to the suggestion from the NA Standing Committee, before submitting the document for approval at the upcoming 4th meeting session of the NA.” — VNS