Healthcare and social security: Leaving no one behind

In recent years, alongside strong socio-economic development, Dong Nai province has consistently identified healthcare and social security as two key pillars of profound humanitarian significance, directly contributing to improving people's quality of life.

Doctors from Dong Nai Children’s Hospital conduct health check-ups for pupils at Ha Huy Giap Primary School, Trang Dai ward. Photo: Hanh Dung

With the guiding principle of “Putting people at the centre of service delivery,” the healthcare sector and social security policies across the province have been continuously strengthened and expanded, aiming for universal coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind.

An extensive healthcare network

Following the administrative boundary merger, Dong Nai’s healthcare network has been consolidated and expanded, with 39 public service units under provincial management, including general and specialised provincial-level hospitals and 22 regional medical centres. Grassroots healthcare has remained robust, with 95 communal health stations and 176 satellite clinics.

Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, Do Thi Nguyen, stated that the most significant change following the provincial merger has been a qualitative improvement. Medical units have been granted greater autonomy and accountability, management processes have been streamlined, and resources across different levels have been more rationally redistributed. Preventive medicine and primary healthcare have been clearly identified as the foundation, helping reduce pressure on higher-level facilities. The sector has also promoted digital transformation through robust technology adoption, including electronic medical records and personal health profiles.

The quality of medical treatment in Dong Nai has now approached that of major hospitals and medical centres in the region. A notable achievement is that Dong Nai General Hospital and Thong Nhat General Hospital have been awarded Diamond status, the highest level of certification in stroke treatment by the World Stroke Organization. This recognition affirms excellence in emergency response procedures and advanced professional expertise.

In addition, many advanced medical techniques, such as open-heart surgery, cerebral vascular intervention, and advanced cancer treatment, have become routine at provincial hospitals. This enables residents to access high-quality medical services close to home, significantly reducing costs and referral time. In the near future, Dong Nai General Hospital is expected to perform its first kidney transplant, marking a major milestone for the province’s healthcare sector.

Not only provincial-level hospitals but also grassroots healthcare units have continuously improved the quality of medical examination and treatment, with a focus on patient satisfaction.

Le Hoang Nam, Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council of Bu Gia Map commune, noted that the commune is located about 200 kilometres from the provincial administrative centre and that ethnic minorities account for 75 percent of the population. Therefore, priority has been given to strengthening primary healthcare at the communal health station to ensure residents do not need to travel long distances for treatment. For local authorities, social security is not merely reflected in statistics but in the satisfaction of more than 8,200 residents who can access equitable and timely healthcare services at the grassroots level.

Vu Ngoc Tam, Head of the Bu Gia Map Communal Health Station, said that the area has long been considered a malaria hotspot in the southeastern region. To move towards malaria elimination by 2030, the station has been invested in infrastructure development and fully equipped with medical devices such as ultrasound machines, laboratory testing equipment, and electrocardiography systems. Medical staff are on duty around the clock to serve local residents. In 2025 alone, the station provided medical services to more than 4,300 patients, exceeding its annual target.

A key advantage for residents of Bu Gia Map commune is that 100 percent of the population has been issued free health insurance cards. To prevent residents from being left behind in the digital era, local authorities have stepped up communication and guidance on using digital applications such as VssID, VNeID, chip-based citizen identity cards, and cashless payment methods for medical services, helping reduce the risk of lost documents and cash.

In 2025, more than 4.2 million people in Dong Nai participated in health insurance, accounting for 95 percent of the population. The healthcare sector is actively implementing Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which calls for breakthrough solutions to strengthen protection, care, and improvements in public health. Key measures include establishing specialised provincial-level centres and increasing investment in grassroots healthcare to provide comprehensive healthcare for all citizens.

Enhanced support for vulnerable groups

Pham Minh Thanh, Director of the Dong Nai Social Insurance Agency, said that as his unit is responsible for implementing social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance policies at the local level, the agency regularly reports on policy implementation to relevant authorities.

In pursuit of universal health insurance coverage, the provincial social insurance agency and related departments have adopted various innovative approaches to increase participation rates. The agency has coordinated with relevant bodies to advise the provincial People’s Committee to submit Resolution No. 36/2025/NQ-HDND to the provincial People’s Council, which has approved support levels for health insurance contributions for certain groups in Dong Nai during the 2026–2030 period.

Under the resolution, eligible groups will receive support covering 20 to 100 percent of health insurance contributions. These include ethnic minority groups facing particular difficulties; people with serious illnesses; residents aged between 70 and under 75 who have permanent or temporary residence in area I communes or ethnic minority and mountainous hamlets as defined by the Prime Minister; workers whose unemployment benefits have expired for more than three months without rejoining health insurance; households newly lifted out of poverty under the national multidimensional poverty standards for up to 24 months; homeless people and beggars; population collaborators; students with disabilities attending inclusive education; village health workers; and village midwives.

Deputy Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, Specialist Level II Doctor Le Thi Phuong Tram, emphasised that, although small, the health insurance card is of great significance for patients, especially those with chronic diseases requiring lifelong treatment, those suffering from severe illnesses, or those needing surgeries following accidents. Thanks to health insurance, many patients have had substantial medical expenses covered, significantly easing their financial burden.

A local resident identified as N.T.H., from Bien Hoa ward, Dong Nai province, shared that she has had diabetes accompanied by kidney failure for many years. Thanks to the health insurance cards provided for people with disabilities, she is entitled to 100 percent coverage and no longer worries excessively about hospital expenses.

Comprehensive healthcare for all

In line with central and local directives, Dong Nai’s healthcare sector is implementing a roadmap to transfer communal health stations to the management of communal People’s Committees, aiming to enhance local autonomy.

According to Director of the Department of Health Do Thi Nguyen, to strengthen human resources at the communal level, doctors from provincial hospitals will be rotated to work at communal health stations one to two days per week, while grassroots doctors will be sent to higher-level facilities for professional training. The department is also advising on the issuance of a resolution to attract, support, and train healthcare human resources for the 2026–2030 period. This is expected to catalyze special policies to retain and attract talent for grassroots healthcare, preventive medicine, and digital transformation.

The 2026–2030 period has been identified as a phase of acceleration, with four key objectives, including policies to attract highly qualified doctors and improved incentives for grassroots and preventive healthcare staff, aiming to reach a target of 11 doctors and 32 hospital beds per 10,000 people by 2030.

"In the future, 100 percent of citizens will have electronic health records, enabling doctors to access medical histories instantly and provide the most accurate treatment plans. Dong Nai’s healthcare sector is committed to continued reform and innovation to deserve public trust and to build a modern, equitable, and effective healthcare system,” Director of the Department of Health Do Thi Nguyen stressed.

By Hanh Dung, Vu Thuyen – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha