President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Rising prices of essential goods, the shortage of drugs and medical equipment, and corruption are among the issues of voters' concern, according to a report presented to the National Assembly (NA) by President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến on Monday, the opening day of the 15th legislature’s seventh session.

The report says voters and people praised the Party and the State, led by Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, for their timely and comprehensive direction over important national matters, and that people's confidence in the Party and the State has continued to be fostered.

Voters and people expressed their delight at the year-on-year economic growth of over 5.6 per cent in the first three months of this year, the highest Q1 increase over the past four years, with major economic balances ensured.

They, however, shared the concern over the rising trend of business suspension and dissolution, increasing lay-offs, soaring prices of fertilisers, pesticides, electricity and airfares, unsteady economic recovery, and the sluggish implementation of national target programmes.

Regarding socio-economic affairs, they noted that vocational training has yet to meet employment requirements for the working-age population, especially youths in rural and remote areas.

In health care, despite efforts in improving the efficiency of State management, the shortages of drugs and medical supplies still exist, the quality of medical examination and treatment at the grassroots level remains low, and overload is still seen at central-level hospitals.

Voters also pointed to the complex issues related to cyber security, serious traffic and labour accidents, and high fire risks.

Regarding the fight against corruption, negative phenomena and wastefulness, they highly valued efforts in this regard under the leadership of the Party, led by General Secretary Trọng, stressing that significant and comprehensive results have been obtained and there are truly “no off-limits zones, no exceptions, no privileges, no matter who” in the combat.

In the report, the Presidium of the VFF Central Committee proposed the Party and the State step up communications to raise public consensus on socio-economic development, Party building and anti-corruption policies, instruct ministries, agencies and localities to speed up the implementation of national target programmes, and further remove obstacles to businesses.

Another report on results of the supervision over the settlement of voters’ petitions sent to the NA's sixth session, held in late 2023, shows that up to 2,210 out of the 2,216 petitions collected (or 99.7 per cent) have been handled and response on the matters sent to voters.

The work has helped spur socio-economic development, ensure social order and safety, improve people’s living standards, and consolidate public trust, the report says.

Delivering the report, Dương Thái Bình, head of the NA Standing Committee's ombudsman board, proposed the Government instruct ministries and agencies to review and thoroughly deal with the remaining petitions. — VNS