Dr. Shin Young-soo, director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, was on November 21 awarded the Friendship Order for his contributions to the development of the Vietnam’s healthcare sector.

At the awarding ceremony.

The Friendship Order, approved by Vietnam’s State president, is given to foreign individuals and collectives who make great contributions to building, consolidating, and developing the friendship between Vietnam and other countries in the world.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien emphasized that during his ten years as WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Shin has played a key role and worked with the Vietnamese government to deliver its vision of national health service.

Tien noted that Dr. Shin has provided support and consultations to the Ministry of Health to build reform policies for Vietnam’s healthcare system.

He has directly helped Vietnam devise and review the law on health insurance, the law on prevention and control of tobacco harm, and the recent law on preventing and combating harmful effects of alcohol and beer, among others, Tien added.

For his part, Dr. Shin expressed his delight that health coverage in Vietnam has witnessed significant progress over the years, with 87% of its population joining health insurance at present. 

Dr. Shin hopes that 100% of Vietnamese people will join the national health insurance scheme in the coming time and that qualified initial healthcare services will be paid due attention in the country’s healthcare reform.

Hanoitimes