Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has presented the State President’sdecisions to appoint Nguyen Thanh Long as Minister of Health(MoH), and Huynh Thanh Dat as Minister of Science and Technology.

PM Phuc spoke highly of efforts made by the health sector in preventing and controllingthe COVID-19 pandemic, and asked for greater endeavours from the sector to protectand take care of the people's health.

The sector was tasked with effectively control the coronavirus disease, preventit from breaking out again, as well as other infectious diseases such asdiphtheria, dengue fever, seasonal flu and cholera.

Attention should be also paid to completing policies and financial mechanismsto improve the quality and efficiency of medical services, and reduce hospitaloverloads, he said.

It is also necessary to well manage costs for medical services, pharmaceuticals,food, medical supplies and equipment; and ensure publicity and transparency inmanagement of drug licensing, bidding and procurement; and improve the qualityof food safety, especially at kitchens in schools and industrial parks, headded.

PM Phuc asked the sector to do more to expand the coverage of universal healthinsurance and health insurance payment, and take care of policy beneficiariessuch as the poor, people with difficult circumstances, and those withmeritorious services to the country, towards ensuring that all people can get initialhealth care services.

For his part, Long promised that the ministry will focus on successfully implementingthe tasks assigned by the Party and people.
He also demonstrated the determinationto promote digital transformation in the sector with programmes such as remotemedical examination and treatment, medical publicity, control of communal-levelmedical stations, and personal medical record management.

The sector will also speed up administrative reform to make it easier forpeople to access health care services, he affirmed.

Whilepresenting the decision to Dat, PM Phuc askedthe science and technology sector to focus on promoting practical connection betweenenterprises, research institutes and universities towards narrowing the gap betweenproduction and business.

He also urged the sector to propose breakthroughs in managementmechanism in the field, while stressing the need to make science and technologya direct production and business force to improve productivity and quality.

Minister Dat affirmed that he will do his utmost to further promote achievementsand results made by the ministry in recent years.

He also pledged to perform the tasks assigned by the Prime Minister, focusingon enhancing cooperation among domestic and foreign scientists in exploitingand developing national science and technology potential./.