However, the figure is still less than it was at the end of 2014, Minhconceded, pointing to several reasons, including changes in povertyalleviation policies.
Vietnam is hoping to lift therate of people covered by health insurance to 75 percent in 2015. Tothat end, the VSI has requested local authorities at all levels tocreate the most favourable conditions for locals to sign up forinsurance.
It will work more closely with the HealthMinistry to speed up publicity campaigns that raise public awareness ofthe benefits of health insurance, while focusing on encouragingenterprises to buy insurance packages for their employees.
Minh continued by expressing her hope that the Ministry of Educationand Training will take measures to expanding preferential loans forstudents in need of coverage.
Most importantly, the VSI will work to simplify administrative procedures, she added.-VNA