Vietnam-Sweden Health Cooperation – Health Policy and Systems Development
This SIPU technical assistance project formed part of a SEK 90 million cooperation programme between Sweden and Vietnam and covered the following components:
- Health policy development
- Public administration reform in the health sector
- Drug management – policies and coordination
- Drug management – rational and safe use of drugs
- Community-based health development in disadvantaged areas
- Community-based health education
- Tobacco control
- Accident and injury prevention
The project’s overall objective was on the development of legal frameworks, policies and strategies for equity and quality in the provision and accessibility of healthcare services, specifically towards the people in poor and disadvantaged areas. The project aimed at implementing the Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy of the Government, the reduction of morbidity, smoking, accidents and injuries, improvement of the quality of life, especially towards women and children in disadvantaged areas and development of human resources for health workers at all levels through improvement of management skills and increased efficiency in the utilisation of resources for health.
The project’s specific objectives focused on: Capacity development – to promote result based management, organisational framework and administrative routines with respect to all components and activities included in VSHC/HPSD, Strategy development – to assist MoH to develop such policies, legal framework and action plans that are consistent with the Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy – CPRGS – of the Government and Competence development to develop adequate professional skills with respect to all components and activities included in the VSHC/HPSD through time bound targeted human resources development efforts.
The results were: 1) approved health policies, 2) documents to ensure quality of health care services, 3) regulation and functions for health workers in disadvantaged areas, 4) a more rational and safe use of drugs. 5) an approved model for health system in disadvantaged areas, 6) two standing offices enabled to coordinate national programs for Accident and Injury Prevention and Tobacco Control, and 7) merged resources for health sector support especially within ODA aid management and facilitation of SWAP.