The signing ceremony between representatives from the Vietnam Social Security and French Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of the French Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has recently signed an MOU on strategic cooperation for the 2024 to 2026 period with the French Health sector, represented by the French Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam.

The signing ceremony, at the French Embassy in Hà Nội, marks an important milestone in advancing healthcare access and fostering innovation in the Vietnamese healthcare and health insurance system.

The primary objective of the partnership is to establish a platform for experience sharing, knowledge transfer, and capability building through training sessions, conferences and expert meetings focused on four main themes:

• Exchange information and share experiences on solutions to increase revenue for the health insurance fund, experience in implementing additional health insurance packages from France and some other countries.

• Improve the capacity of Vietnamese social insurance officers in health technology assessment (drugs, medical supplies, medical equipment and health services covered by the health insurance fund); assessing health economics assessment (budget impact, balancing costs and benefits).

• Strengthen communication, raise public and healthcare worker awareness about the safe, reasonable, and effective use of medicines, especially in terms of treatment adherence, to optimise treatment efficiency, minimise waste, ensure the effective use of health insurance funds and the rights of patients.

• International Experience Sharing in Health Insurance: Facilitating the exchange of insights and best practices in health insurance from France and other European countries.

In the same day, the first event within the framework of this partnership, the conference “Towards Improving Chronic Disease Management in Vietnam”, was also held in Hà Nội.

The conference enables leaders and experts to share insights and experiences to address important public health issues and to discuss challenges and opportunities for the improvement in chronic disease management in Việt Nam.

"This MOU is an important milestone to kick-off cooperation activities in the coming time, contributing to improving the quality of health and ensuring the health of the Vietnamese people," said Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of the French Republic to Việt Nam.

The ambassador also said the health sector had been a bright spot in the cooperation between Việt Nam and France over the years and the MOU will show their joint determination in the field of healthcare, especially health insurance.

Deputy General Director of Vietnam Social Security Nguyễn Đức Hòa hopes that the cooperation will bring significant improvements to the health sector and create a foundation for deeper ties between the two countries.

Thibaut Giroux, President of CCIFV, said with the signing CCIFV had expressed its commitment to the development of cooperation between France and Việt Nam in the field of healthcare.

“With the experience and expertise of French pharmaceutical companies in Việt Nam today, cooperation with Vietnam Social Insurance will contribute positively to the development of Việt Nam's health sector," said Thibaut Giroux.

The event was attended by officials from Vietnam Social Insurance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French Embassy, French Chamber of Commerce, Leem organization and French Pharmaceutical enterprises in Việt Nam. — VNS