PM Okays to Add EUR1.5M ODA to Healthcare Project in North Vietnam

Vietnam’s government on June 10 announced the extension and capital increase of a project on “Policy support in healthcare coverage for poor people in Cao Bang, Bac Kan” using official development assistance (ODA) from the Luxembourg government. The project will be extended until December 31, 2015 and receive an additional EUR1.5 million in non-refundable ODA to supplement the training programs for local health workers, upgrading local healthcare infrastructure, and equipping local clinics with better devices. The project has been implemented for over six years since June 1, 2009, focusing on improving the health of poor people and raising access to affordable medical care for the two northern provinces. The proportion of poor and ethnic minority people with health insurance has been raised to nearly 36% from previously 20% in these localities, the government said. In addition, 482 health officials and 230 health workers have received training, raising the total number of local officials and health workers receiving training to 1,300 and 550. Cao Bang has 55 clinics and Bac Kan has 47 clinics that have been upgraded with new medical devices. (vpcp.chinhphu.vn June 10)