Laws to provide all Vietnamese aged 60 and above with special treatment will come into effect next year. They were announced by the Presidential Office yesterday.

The Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu (L) at the meeting. (Photo: VNN)

They will also provide Vietnamese citizens above the age of 80 a monthly allowance from the Social Insurance Fund.

The Elderly Law, which will take effect next July, contains in six chapters and 31 articles. It stipulates the rights and responsibilities of all Vietnamese aged above 60, their families and the State and society.

On their 90th birthday, the elderly will receive birthday cards and presents from the chairman of the provincial or city People’s Committee where they reside.

And on their 100th birthday they will receive greetings and gifts from the State President.

Under the Elderly Law, senior citizens have the rights to enjoy basic needs, including cooking, clothes and health care.

The disadvantaged elderly will receive special treatment from the Social Welfare Fund.

The law also has a special provision covering needy overseas Vietnamese and foreign senior citizens living and working in Viet Nam.

The Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, which will come into force on January 1, is aimed at protecting the rights and interests of patients and improving the quality of medical examination and treatment.

It has nine chapters and 91 articles and provides a level playing field for both private and public health facilities.

Under the law, the Government will give budget priority to public need for medical examination and treatment.

It prohibits any refusal or delays in giving emergency aid to patients by any health facility.

It also prohibits health workers practising without proper certificate. Public health workers are not allowed to set up or manage private hospitals or health facilities.

However, they are entitled to set up private health consultation rooms and to sign work contracts with private health facilities to earn “moonlight” money.

The Minister of Health, Nguyen Quoc Trieu, said he would continue efforts to upgrade provincial, district and general hospitals and offer more training for doctors and assistant doctors to work in mountainous and remote areas.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News