Promoting investment in developing grassroots healthcare networks in disadvantaged areas

On September 15 in Dong Nai, the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), held a conference to review the investment program for developing grassroots healthcare networks in disadvantaged areas (ADB project).

Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Council Ton Ngoc Hanh and other provincial leaders attend the conference. Photo: Truong Hien

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen delivers the opening speech at the conference. Photo: Truong Hien

Attending the conference were Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen; Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Council Ton Ngoc Hanh; Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son; and leaders of the Departments of Health of 15 provinces.

Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son speaks at the conference. Photo: Hanh Dung

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasized that grassroots healthcare is the foundation of the national health system and requires comprehensive investment in infrastructure, equipment, and human resources. Recently, the Politburo has issued Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of public health.

The resolution outlines a series of breakthrough solutions, with a focus on comprehensive investment in the grassroots healthcare system; restructuring the healthcare system under the two-tier local government model; developing electronic health records for every citizen across their life cycle, from birth to death; and providing free annual health check-ups, with the long-term goal of universal free medical care. This direction marks a significant shift toward bringing quality healthcare services closer to the people and reducing the burden on higher-level facilities.

Leaders of Dong Nai province present flowers to congratulate the conference. Photo: Hanh Dung

The ADB project has been implemented in 15 provinces across the country since 2019, aiming to strengthen the capacity of the grassroots healthcare network. The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with localities, with the goal that by 2030, everyone will have access to quality healthcare services where they live.

Provincial leaders present certificates of merit from the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee to individuals who made significant contributions to the implementation of the ADB program. Photo: Truong Hien

Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son said: In recent times, with the attention of the Ministry of Health and the Asian Development Bank, Dong Nai province has invested in building 20 new commune health stations, repairing 25 commune health stations, along with accompanying medical equipment, contributing to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment at the grassroots level. At the same time, the commune level now performs state management tasks in healthcare more conveniently and effectively.

The ADB program was implemented in 15 provinces nationwide from 2019 to 2025 with key contents including: Investing in upgrading facilities, providing essential medical equipment, training to improve the quality of healthcare human resources, supporting the innovation of healthcare service delivery models, and financial mechanisms for grassroots healthcare.

The total capital for implementing the program is 110.6 million USD (including 88.6 million USD in loans, 12 million USD in non-refundable aid, and 10 million USD in counterpart funds).

Specialist Doctor Level II Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, presents the results of the ADB program implementation in Dong Nai. Photo: Truong Hien

To date, the program has completed and handed over for use 166 out of 273 newly constructed health stations, repaired and upgraded 211 out of 277 stations, and delivered equipment to 354 out of 564 health stations. In the remaining three months of 2025, the program is expected to continue efforts to complete and hand over ongoing projects, with an estimated completion rate of 91 percent of the target.

Regarding disbursement, the program has disbursed 1,460 billion VND in ODA loans, reaching 72% of the allocated capital plan and 71% of the total ODA loan investment. Counterpart funds arranged by localities have also disbursed nearly 169 billion VND. 100% of provinces are committed to allocating sufficient counterpart funds to complete the program as committed to the donor.

Delegates at the conference. Photo: Truong Hien

Under the non-refundable aid component, the program has conducted short-term training courses for healthcare workers, including: 198 trained in family medicine; 331 in disease prevention and biosafety; 207 in community-based management of non-communicable diseases; and 151 in cervical cancer screening. In addition, community-based screening was conducted for more than 4,300 people in Tuyen Quang and Soc Trang provinces.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho