The Ministry of Health has announced its 10 most outstanding events for the year.

1. 30 babies born from surrogate pregnancies

Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien holds a baby born from surrogate pregnancy

The first baby was born on January 22 at National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the baby was the mark for Vietnam's technology and amended laws on marriage and family approved in 2015.

As of now, 200 cases have been approved to proceed and 30 babies have been born. Only three facilities are permitted to carry out the in vitro fertilisation including the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hanoi, Tu Du Hospital in HCM City and Hue Central Hospital.

2. Improved patient experiences

According to the ministry, the sector has done its best this year, improving the infrastructure, service quality and attitude of staff in the health sector.

3. Vietnam successfully produces country's first measles-rubella vaccine

On November 8, the Centre for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biology under the Ministry of Health announced the successful test of measles-rubella vaccine. This makes Vietnam become one of 25 countries worldwide that can produce the vaccine and the fourth in Asia after Japan, India and China.

The vaccine will be given to the children free of charge from the National Expanded Immunisation Programme in 2017.

4. Robot-assisted surgery for adults

Binh Dan Hospital in HCM City became the first in Vietnam to offer robotic surgery for adults on December 10. The robotic system helps increase the accuracy of the operation while patients lose less blood and will feel less pain. The procedures reduce the chance of post-operation complications.

In 2013, Vietnam National Hospital of Paediatrics used this system for children.

5. Health insurance coverage exceeds target

The goal for 2016 was set at 79%. However, as of November 30, there are 75,160,311 people joined the, pushing coverage to 81.3%.

6. Subsidies for hospital drops

Public hospital charges have increased as government has cut funding. The spending has instead being reallocated to health insurance programmes.

7. Plan to build and expand local health services

The prime minister approved the plan to build and expand local health networks for the 2016-2025 period.

8. The Ministry of Health ranked 8th out of 19 ministries in the Administrative Reform Index, compared to 17th last year.

9. A common code list for healthcare and health insurance services was implemented.

10. Vietnam was elected to the executive board of World Health Organisation for the 2016-2019 term.

Dtinews