EU to Grant Vietnam EUR8.4M for Health Professional Training via WB Fund

European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica has signed an aid package worth EUR8.4 million for the Health Professional Education and Training Project (HPET) in Vietnam through a trust fund managed by the World Bank, state media reported. The signing took place on November 16 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of cooperation in public health between Vietnam and the EU, which has played an important role in helping Vietnam build a fair, efficient and improve healthcare system. The aid package will supplement the on-going Health Sector Policy Support Program (HSPSP) from now till 2019. Vietnam receives non-refundable aid of EUR114 million for the HSPSP Phase II, in addition to EUR39.5 million it deployed in the first phase from 2010 to 2014. The project is being operated in 15 provinces and cities, 18 universities and colleges, and 63 disadvantaged districts across Vietnam until 2020. The HSPSP Phase II “Towards Equity and Quality of Health Services in Vietnam,” operational from December 2014, envisages a budget support in the form of a Sector Reform Contract (SRC) (EUR100 million) and complementary technical services provided through the European Union Health Facility (EU-HF) and a contribution to the “Health Professional Education and Training Project (HPET)” implemented by the World Bank. Over the past two decades, the EU has funded a number of healthcare projects in Vietnam, including the health system development program (HSDP), the healthcare support to the poor of the northern uplands and Central Highlands project (HEMA), and the health sector capacity building project. Speaking at the ceremony, EU Commissioner Mimica affirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU’s most successful examples in providing support for better health services and people’s health around the world. During the 1995-2015 period, the EU has worked with the Southeast Asian country on implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with focus on raising medical coverage for the poor and cutting the infant mortality rate and malaria infections. He noted that the closer ties in medical field are in line with the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation and will help strengthen bilateral relations once the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is signed. He voiced support for Vietnam in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the health sector under the United Nations standards. As of 2014, Vietnam’s health sector had 42 on-going official development assistance (ODA) projects valued at over $1.5 billion and 108 other projects funded by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) valued at $173 million. (Nhan Dan – The People Nov 18, danviet.vn Nov 17)