Reducing health inequalities in Vietnam: Implications for health in all policy

Abstract

Inequalities in healthcare are critical issues and reaching disadvantaged groups is necessary to close the current gap. In many areas of the country, especially in the ethnic and remote regions of Vietnam, a citizen’s access to social services and use of health resources are limited. Vietnam is currently undertaking various measures to reduce health inequalities among specific populations, especially ethnic minorities. The government is re-designing the healthcare system to ensure its resilience and inclusiveness by enhancing equal access to health services specifically in the context of COVID-19. The goal is to reduce gaps in service that have great influence on citizen’s health outcomes particularly across ethnic groups. To address these gaps, the Government may consider the following suggestions: (1) Increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of health insurance; (2) Build partnerships across sectors; and (3) Integrate health in all policies. A combination of both building partnerships across sectors and integrating health in all policies should be promoted. In this article, the authors make policy recommendations to effectively address the complex and multi-faceted issues of health inequalities in Vietnam.