Ho Chi Minh City approves free dialysis for poor patients

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council has approved several breakthrough social welfare policies aimed at improving healthcare access and reducing financial burdens for vulnerable populations.

A key measure provides 100% coverage for health insurance co-payments for patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease undergoing regular hemodialysis or continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This policy is expected to benefit approximately 692 priority individuals, including children aged 6 to 16, households that have recently escaped poverty, and elderly people in difficult circumstances.

To ensure efficient implementation, the Department of Health and the Social Insurance agency will develop a streamlined data verification process to minimize administrative hurdles. Additionally, the city is implementing a policy to provide 12-month health insurance cards to voluntary blood donors who have donated at least 20 times, provided they continue to donate at least twice a year.

Furthermore, the city is addressing medical staffing by deploying 81 doctors from major hospitals to local health stations starting in October. This initiative includes specialized financial support for medical staff rotating to commune and ward-level health centers to improve local healthcare capabilities.