The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has made plans to promote cashless payments in the health sector.
The e-payments would be used primarily for health check-ups and treatment services in medical facilities all over the nation.
During an online conference on Friday in Ha Noi, health minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the introduction of cashless payments will be a significant step forward for the health industry.
Tien pointed out that there are several advantages to digital payments, including heightened safety, speed and precision. It also allows citizens the opportunity to make payments even beyond the nation’s borders, and on a more global level.
“To date, cashless payments have been applied at about 30 medical facilities nationwide, gaining remarkable results. At several hospitals, non-cash payments made up 35 per cent of total payment transactions for health check-ups and treatment, reducing congestion, queuing time and improving patient satisfaction,” said Tiến.
Tien added however, that the health sector still faces a number of difficulties in spreading the use of cashless payments, including a small number of hospitals utilising cashless payment systems, or faults in connecting with banking software or between organisations offering intermediary services and information systems of hospitals.
“Vietnamese people are still used to paying for medical services with cash,” said the health minister.
“Recently, the health sector has accelerated the application of IT and ensured infrastructure in improving management activities, quality of medical services and satisfaction of patients in fields of public http://devere-vault.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/eff1b1fe-4b38-4a73-a54b-f9574e98c4ba-1.jpgistration, health check-up and treatment; medical and pharmaceutical training. This will be the foundation for implementing electronic payments for services.”
During the event, the health ministry called on organisations in the industry to establish plans of action, find resources and conditions to carry out appropriate solutions for cashless transactions.
The ministry requested that hospitals and health facilities actively adopt different outlets for electronic payments for hospital fees and tuition, including via credit card, mobile, digital wallets and electronic payment gateways.
“For people who have no bank card or account, health facilities must work with banks to implement a convenient non-cash payment solution,” said Tiến.
Simultaneously, the health sector is also looking to promote communication and raise awareness on the importance of non-cash transactions, motivating people to shift towards cashless methods of payment for hospital fees and tuition.
