Govt set to announce details of free medical treatment policy

The government is expected to shortly announce which citizens will be eligible for free medical treatment and maternity care under its recently approved draft policy on the issue.

The policy was approved at the government meeting for July held on August 2-3, but it still remains unclear exactly who will qualify for free treatment under the policy.

The draft policy identifies three options for the government to select to implement the policy in accordance with its budgetary capacity.

Deputy Head of the Administrative Office under the Ministry of Health Dr Bounfaeng Phommalaysith said yesterday that a decision on which option will be selected is expected shortly.

The first option provides all Lao women with free pregnancy and birth-delivery-related healthcare, as well as free medical services for children under five years of age.

The second option consists of two sub-categories, with the first offering similar free healthcare to only 36 percent of the population – the 26 percent living below the poverty line and another 10 percent living just above the poverty line. The second sub-category involves free services for only the 26 percent living in poverty.

It is unlikely the government will select the third option, which offers free maternity care for the 36 percent quotient and free medical treatment for children less than one year of age.

Dr Bounfaeng Phomma-laysith said that it is likely one of the two sub-categories will be selected by the government, as the government would be unable to meet the high spending required by the first category.

“We have indicated the funding required to implement work under each option,” he told the Vientiane Times yesterday.

Despite the fact that the policy has already received approval, Dr Bounfaeng said the government is yet to inform the Health Ministry which category or sub-category will be selected for implementation, only saying the announcement would be made soon.

“It (the announcement) should reach us within the next two weeks,” he said.

Dr Bounfaeng said officials in charge would now start accelerating the formulation of a Prime Ministerial Decree to serve as an instrument to realise the policy in accordance with instructions issued by the government cabinet at last week's meeting.

He said the policy was expected to be put into practice in the next fiscal year.

Once the new policy is realised, all treatment and associated costs will be offered to eligible patients free of charge, Dr Bounfaeng said.

“All entitled people will also be given support funds for transport costs, food purchases and other such expenses during their time in hospital,” he told the V ientiane Times .

Officials said the policy was formulated to stimulate the government's effort to reduce child and maternal mortality rates in Laos, which remain high compared to those in the region, as well as to achieve targets outlined in the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update August 10 , 2010)