Health
Health system strengthening
Vietnam’s health system is facing major challenges as it attempts to provide good quality, cost effective care that is accessible to the whole population, especially the poor. Limited health insurance coverage coupled with low Government of Vietnam investment in the health system has led to high out-of-pocket expenses (70 per cent of all health expenditure), unequal access to health care and, as a result, growing health inequalities.
Our health system strengthening work is focused on improving the fundamentals of the health system in Vietnam to improve service delivery, and ultimately better health outcomes. Priority areas for our program are health financing and health workforce.
The key vehicle for delivering this assistance is the Vietnam Delivering Better Health Initiative.
The $15 million, four year initiative (2007–2012) is focused on enhancing the capacity of the Government of Vietnam to improve health sector coordination, regulate the health workforce and reform health financing. These efforts will ensure that the activities of donors and the Government of Vietnam address priority health issues, that the health workforce is appropriately qualified and held to high performance standards, and that there is access to affordable health care for all.
Key outputs to date include supporting the creation of the Joint Annual Health Review, the key high level priority setting process in the health sector, establishment of health research institutional linkages between Australia and Vietnam to promote evidence-informed policy development, and the introduction of clinically standardised and costed health services that will catalyse future reforms.
Aid activities
Vietnam Delivering Better Health Initiative
Disability—Avoidable blindness
In 2008, the Australian Government launched the strategy Development for All: Towards a disability-inclusive Australian aid program 2009–2014. One program of support developed under this strategy is the $45 million Avoidable Blindness Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to improve the quality of life of people in Asia and the Pacific with low vision and blindness through better diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of avoidable blindness.
Vision impairment is a significant health and social issue in Vietnam. As part of the Avoidable Blindness Initiative, the Vietnam–Australia Vision Support Program is being introduced in Vietnam. The $3 million program will be implemented by Vision 2020 Australia and the Government of Vietnam.
Aid activities
Vietnam–Australia Vision Support Program
Combating HIV/AIDS
Australia considers HIV/AIDS to be a significant development challenge to our region. The HIV prevalence rate in Vietnam is growing with an increasing number of men, women and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Australian Government is committed to assisting Vietnam to halt the spread of HIV and to assist people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Australian Government supports the Clinton Foundation in Vietnam to help strengthen capacity for scaling up care and treatment in Vietnam, particularly for children living with HIV/AIDS.
We also provide support, through the Vietnam Women’s Union, for Compassion House. This is a service that provides women and children living with HIV/AIDS with accommodation, support, counselling, and referrals to health, social and legal services. The project also raises community awareness and involvement in prevention activities.
At a regional level, the HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program (HAARP) Vietnam Country Flexible program is working with health, public security and social affairs agencies in Vietnam to reduce HIV/AIDS related harm associated with injecting drug use.
Aid activities
Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI)
HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program—Vietnam Country Flexible Program
Avian influenza
Australia is helping Vietnam combat Avian Influenza and other infectious diseases by strengthening its ability to manage public health emergencies.
Aid activities
Vietnam–Australia Avian Influenza Laboratory Partnership Program
Support through the Joint GoV–UN program
Last reviewed:
26 July, 2010
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