Medication every two months: relief for chronically ill people!

Medication every two months: relief for chronically ill people!

In Vietnam, more than 93% of the population has a health insurance card that allows them to receive medical services. This insurance plays a crucial role for people suffering from chronic illnesses. They often rely on regular medical treatment, although different hospitals provide this treatment differently. Some facilities provide medication for a week, while others cover up to two months, which can significantly impact patient accessibility. This was done by Vietnam.vn reported.

After completing the medication, patients have to go back to the hospital to be clinically examined. Regular tests, such as electrocardiograms and ultrasounds, are performed every three to six months. Older patients in particular face the challenge of often relying on the support of their relatives to maintain mobility. Commenters in reader posts express their opinions on medication dispensing and frequency; Some emphasize that administration every two to three months could not only be more practical, but also reduce the burden on hospitals.

New approach to medication administration

As Nguyen Duc Hoa, deputy director of the Vietnamese Social Security, explains, the insurance agency does not control the amount of medicines issued. In line with a Ministry of Health circular, patients typically receive medication for a maximum of one month. However, a pilot program at Xanh Pon Hospital allows doctors to care for patients for up to two months. Statistics show that 97% of chronic patients in Xanh Pon Hospital who receive medication every two months have no abnormalities.

The possibility of reducing doctor visits from once a month to every two months could not only reduce the financial pressure on health insurance companies, but also benefit patients. Luong Duc Dung, head of the general planning department at Xanh Pon Hospital, points out that a longer prescription duration reduces pressure on the healthcare system by targeting stable patients.

Programs for chronically ill people

In addition, there are structured treatment programs, so-called disease management programs (DMP), for certain chronic diseases in Germany. These include diabetes mellitus, breast cancer, coronary heart disease, asthma and COPD as well as other already defined diseases such as chronic heart failure and rheumatoid arthritis. The programs are offered by statutory health insurance companies, although participation is voluntary and requires interdisciplinary collaboration between specialists. This enables well-founded treatment based on the latest scientific findings, such as this Federal Ministry of Health reported.

Patients in DMP have the opportunity to agree on individual therapy plans, with the co-payment limit for chronically ill people being reduced to 1% of gross income. Education helps patients better understand treatment decisions and actively participate in their health care. These approaches could serve as a model for other countries or institutions to improve care for chronically ill people.