People infected with HIV/AIDS supported to use health insurance

The health sector will support 100% of the value of health insurance cards for people from poor families or families living near the poverty line, if infected with HIV/AIDS, in 62 difficult districts or support 70% for HIV/AIDS patients from families living near the poverty line across the country.

Photo for illustration (Source: danang.gov.vn)

In order to move payment for HIV/AIDS treatment from programs and projects donated by foreign organizations to the health insurance fund, the health sector has encouraged HIV/AIDS patients to use the health insurance card.

So far only 30% of HIV patients across the country have health insurance card because drug detoxification consultation centers and outpatient consulting-rooms in districts are not allowed to accept payment by health insurance. The health sector encourages drug users to be examined at health clinics and conduct health insurance payment for them. However, the number of HIV/AIDS patients going to health clinics is low because they are still afraid of discrimination.

To increase the percent of people living with HIV/AIDS having health insurance cards and encouraging them to buy health insurance cards, the health sector should consider to implement health insurance payments in outpatient clinics and the HIV testing and counseling centers so that HIV/AIDS patients can remove the psychology of stigma and discrimination.

(Source: CPV)