In the framework of the bilateral cooperation in health sector between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Vietnam, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, Ambassador Bruno Agelet, visited Bach Mai and Vinmec Hospitals in Hanoi last week to initiate active exchange on hospital operation and facility management. He was accompanied among others by Alejandro Montalban, the Head of Operation, Laurant Taboulet Head of Contracting and Financing, Dr. Le Van Thanh, Programme Officer for Health. The visit was facilitated by Dr Stefan Dornheim, German hospital quality management expert, currently assisting the EU Delegation and the Ministry of Health in improving quality management practices in public hospitals.

During the visits the Head of Delegation engaged in discussions with the hospital management teams on challenging issues such as overcrowding in public hospitals at central level, growing demand in highly specialized services and challenges in assuring certain quality standards, hospital infections and hygienic requirements as well as modern technology and knowledge transfer from private to public hospitals, particularly to provincial and district levels.

The visit was organized with the technical support of the European Union Health Facility and the Medical Services Administration of the Ministry of Health. 

The European Union in Vietnam has allocated a conditional grant to the Government in the amount of 100 million Euro for the period of three years (2015-2018). It is direct budget support which will be used to decrease disparities between rich and poor, concentrating efforts to 10 of the poorest regions of Vietnam. The grant also serves to support the Ministry of Health of Vietnam in increasing the quality of services at grass root and hospital levels. Parts are used to subsidise health insurance premiums for the near poor, allowing higher coverage with health services to a vulnerable group of population.