Lhss prepared this report, discussing procurement and payment considerations related to the transition of first-line tuberculosis (TB) drug procurement in Vietnam from the central state budget to the social health insurance fund starting in 2022.

Conducted by LHSS, this market analysis examines four factors affecting SHI-covered ARV procurement and supply in Vietnam, and it also summarizes findings and recommendations across each of these factors.

This document provides a roadmap for Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis (TB) Program to transition procurement and payment for TB drugs to the country’s social health insurance scheme.

This report summarizes the results of a review of international experience and best practices related to pro-health excise taxes.

LHSS in this report recommends that the government raise pro-health excise taxes at greater rates than currently proposed by the Ministry of Finance in order to increase the revenue raised.

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) is a global priority and a keystone element of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, COVID-19 is causing serious impacts on tax revenue and many countries are facing constraints to new investment in health. To advance UHC progress, countries can also focus on improving health system technical efficiency to maximize the service outputs given the current health financing levels.

For the first time, Vietnam has procured TB medicines using its national social health insurance scheme. 

Late last year, health sector practitioners from eight countries met to tackle the issue head-on as participants in the Joint Learning Network Health Budget Execution Learning Exchange. They made meaningful progress.

This video captures a November 6, 2020 ceremony in Hanoi which marked the formal start of the LHSS Project’s four-year effort to help the Government of Vietnam implement its social health insurance program. The program covers treatment services for people with HIV, among other essential health services.

Working closely with the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) agency, LHSS will help improve the agency’s capacity to manage the insurance program funds effectively, efficiently, equitably, and with accountability. LHSS will also support Vietnam’s transition to full financial ownership of its HIV and TB responses.

HMED software will improve Vietnam’s capacity to effectively forecast ARV demand, and manage the drugs when they are in the country. Also, engaging drug manufacturers and distributors is crucial to overcoming supply side obstacles.

Poor budget execution results in inefficiencies that undermine the ability of health agencies to improve access to needed health services and improve population health. Yet billions of dollars in unexecuted health budgets are returned to treasuries every year. 

Effort to strengthen Vietnam’s social health insurance program will benefit people with HIV.

Ceremony marked the formal start of the LHSS Project’s four-year effort to help the Government of Vietnam implement its social health insurance program.