Sustaining Universal Health Coverage in Vietnam: Expanding Health Coverage for Informal Economy Workers

Abstract

As of 2022, Vietnam's health insurance coverage has reached approximately 91% of the population. However, over 5.4 million informal workers have not participated in health insurance due to limited access to health services, insufficient information about health insurance, loose labor contracts, and low income. This article presents solutions to expand health insurance coverage for informal workers and achieve the goal of maintaining universal health coverage. The proposed solution groups: Solution groups for access to medical services, include: Increasing access to high-quality medical examinations and treatments; Enhancing access through investment and upgrading of grassroots healthcare; and reforming payment methods for medical costs. State management solution group, including: Strengthening law enforcement in signing labor contracts; Strengthening propaganda work; Encouraging participation in health insurance by households; Strengthening inspection and supervision of health insurance participation in salaried groups and individual production and business households. Solution group strengthens public policy and supports vocational training, including: Strengthening linkage policies in local economic development; Strengthening training to improve skills for informal workers; and strengthening public policies to increase income for informal workers.