Ho Chi Minh City proposes new social welfare and medical import policies

Ho Chi Minh City is considering several new policy proposals aimed at expanding social welfare coverage and streamlining the importation of rare medicines.

Regarding social assistance, the city's People's Committee is seeking feedback on a draft resolution to maintain a social subsidy standard of 650,000 VND per month, which is 110,000 VND higher than the national average. The proposal aims to close gaps for those who have escaped the national poverty line but remain vulnerable under city standards. Proposed expansions include monthly allowances for children under three, orphans, individuals without caregivers under 75, and those with serious illnesses or significant labor capacity reductions. Additionally, highly vulnerable groups like disabled elderly citizens may receive extra support.

In the healthcare sector, the Department of Health is drafting a mechanism to allow the city to locally license the import of rare drugs and specialized treatments that lack registration in Vietnam. This move seeks to bypass central government intermediaries to expedite access to life-saving medications for emergency, anti-toxin, and anti-rejection treatments. A pilot program demonstrated that local processing could reduce approval times to between 4 and 10 days, compared to the standard 15-day period required through central authorities.