Hanoi (VNA) – Several healthcare issues were under focus at the discussion on socio-economic development at the National Assembly on November 1,part of the ongoing sixth session of the 15th legislature.

Pointing to an increase in the number of cancer patients,deputy Nguyen Tri Thuc of Ho Chi Minh City cited data of the Union forInternational Cancer Control as showing that Vietnam recorded over 182,000 newcancer cases in 2020, and 60% of them required radiotherapy.

However, there are only 84 ordinary radiotherapy machines inthe country, meeting about 60 - 70% of the demand. Notably, there haven’t beenany proton therapy machines – the most advanced radiotherapy at present that minimisesadverse effects on normal tissues.

Therefore,he proposed the Government establish a proton radiotherapy centre in Hanoi andanother in Ho Chi Minh City to improve the quality of public health care.

Talking about the recent slow supply of pharmaceuticals, deputyNguyen Lan Hieu of central Binh Dinh province noted bidding in drug procurementhas been improved considerably, but the trading of consumable supplies remainsa big problem.

Heblamed the problem on the large number of legal regulations in this regard,making it hard to concurrently meet the rules of many different ministries andsectors when procuring. Besides, it is also difficult to purchase qualitysupplies as some bidders are ready to commit frauds to win bids at low prices.

Hieuproposed enhancing the requirements on warranty and technique transfer as onlysuppliers of quality goods accept a warranty period of up to five years. He addedthat these requirements will be useful for the health sector if they are facilitatedby detailed guidance documents.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said after nearlythree years of fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, the health sector hasfaced many difficulties, including the serious shortages of pharmaceuticals andmedical equipment and supplies at many healthcare establishments, the wave ofresignation among health workers, and problematic mechanisms and policies.

She cited a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) assaying that the shortages of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies is aprolonged challenge in many countries, and have become even more severe duringand after the pandemic.

This problem has different causes, mainly the scarcity of materialsubstances and soaring prices worldwide.

Inthat context, thanks to directions from the Party Central Committee, the NA andthe Government, the close coordination from ministries, sectors, andlocalities, along with support from legislators, voters and the public, thesector has strived to address difficulties and reform working methodology.

Inthe long term, the health sector will invest efforts in fulfilling the settasks and targets, building and perfecting regulations and strategies,improving the quality of health examination and treatment at all levels,stepping up the prevention of infectious diseases, and resolving outstandingproblems pointed out by legislators, according to the minister./.