Decision No. 1613/2002/QĐ-BYT on Approving the National Action Plan to Strengthen Nursing-Midwifery Work for the Period 2002-2010

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the National Action Plan to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Work, 2002-2010

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THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Decree No. 68/CP dated October 11, 1993 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health.

Pursuant to Decision No. 35/2001/QĐ-TTg dated March 19, 2001 of the Government approving the Strategic Orientation for Health Care and Protection of the People's Health, 2001-2010.

Based on the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Nurses Association at Circular No. 13/VPH dated March 7, 2002 of the Vietnam Nurses Association regarding the proposal for a plan to strengthen nursing-midwifery services.

Based on the proposal of the Director of the Treatment Department, the Director of the Maternal and Child Health-Family Planning Department, the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department of the Ministry of Health.

Pursuant to …;

Article 1. Approves the National Action Plan to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Work, 2002-2010 (attached herewith).

Article 2. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of issuance.

Article 3. The following officials are responsible for implementing this Decision: Chief of Office, Inspector General, Directors of the Treatment Department, Maternal and Child Health-Family Planning Department, Planning Department, Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Science and Training Department, Legal Affairs Department, Heads of other Departments under the Ministry of Health, Director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam, Director of the Food Safety and Quality Control Administration, Heads of units directly under the Ministry of Health, Directors of Provincial Health Services.

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

TO STRENGTHEN NURSING AND MIDWIFERY WORK, 2002-2010
(Issued together with Decision No. 1613/2002/QĐ-BYT of the Minister of Health dated May 3, 2002)

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Health is one of the greatest joys of every individual and family. Our Party always emphasizes that people are the top factor, the most precious asset, determining the country's development. Therefore, investing in health is investing in economic and social development, improving the quality of life for each individual and family.

Nursing and midwifery have played a significant role in enhancing the quality of patient care in hospitals and bringing healthcare services closer to communities, especially in difficult areas. In the past decade, the Ministry of Health has consistently focused on building a nursing and midwifery system from central to healthcare facilities. As a result, the quality of medical treatment has improved due to effective care.

However, there are still many shortcomings and challenges in nursing and midwifery work. To continue to leverage the contributions of nurses and midwives towards achieving the goals of the health sector,The National Action Plan to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Work, 2002-2010 is one of the contents aimed at implementing the Strategy for Health Care and Protection of the People's Health, which has been approved by the Government.

I. LEGAL FOUNDATIONS:

(1) Resolution of the Fourth Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Seventh Term, on urgent issues in the health care and protection of the people's health.

(2) Directive No. 06-CT/TW of the Central Committee on Consolidating and Improving the Primary Healthcare Network.

(3) Decision No. 35/2001/QĐ-TTg dated March 19, 2001 of the Prime Minister, approving the Strategy for Protecting and Caring for the People's Health, 2001-2010.

(4) Decision No. 136/2000/QĐ-TTg dated November 28, 2000 of the Prime Minister, approving the National Strategy on Reproductive Health Care, 2001-2010.

(5) Decision No. 1895/1997/BYT-QĐ dated September 19, 1997 of the Minister of Health promulgating the Hospital Regulations.

(6) Decision No. 356/BYT-QĐ dated March 14, 1992 of the Minister of Health on the establishment of the Nurse Section in the Treatment Department.

(7) Decision No. 370/2002/QĐ-BYT dated February 7, 2002 of the Minister of Health on the issuance of national standards in health care, 2001-2010.

(8) Resolution No. 54.12 dated May 21, 2001 of the World Health Assembly on the Global Strategy to Strengthen Nursing and Midwifery Services.

II. NURSING AND MIDWIFERY WORK IN THE RECENT YEARS.

1. Achievements:

With the attention of the Party, State, agencies, and the Ministry of Health, in recent years, the nursing and midwifery specialty has achieved remarkable results and made significant contributions to improving the health of the people.

1.1 On organizational network: The management organization of nursing and midwifery has been established at all levels. At the Ministry of Health, there is a Nurse-Physiotherapy Section in the Treatment Department. Provincial Health Services (commonly referred to as provinces) have Chief Nurses who are Deputy Heads of Medical Affairs. Central and provincial hospitals have Nurse-Physiotherapy Sections, while other hospitals have Nurse-Physiotherapy Units.

1.2 On care quality:

It has been enhanced through the implementation of comprehensive patient care regulations and the reform of care assignment methods. The development of specialized healthcare centers has helped nurses and midwives improve their skills. In the community, nurses and midwives have contributed significantly to reproductive health programs, expanded immunization programs, tuberculosis, leprosy, mental health programs, care for HIV/AIDS patients, elderly care, environmental sanitation, and health education. 1.3 The role, position, and function of nurses and midwives have been changed and expanded:

They not only provide dependent care but also take the initiative in care, collaborate with doctors in treatment, counseling, and health education. This change in function has increased the role of nurses and midwives in society and within the health sector. 1.4 On human resource training:

In the past decade, in addition to training primary and secondary level nurses and midwives, the Ministry of Health has focused on training college and university-level nurses and midwives domestically and postgraduate training abroad. 1.5. The Vietnam Nurses Association and the Vietnam Midwives Association have enhanced their self-management roles, advisory and critical thinking roles, membership aggregation, secured much domestic and international support, and contributed to the Ministry of Health in nurturing and improving the qualifications of nurses and midwives, encouraging them to fulfill their functions and responsibilities in health care and protection of the people's health.

2. Shortcomings and Challenges:

2.1. There is a shortage of nursing and midwifery personnel in quantity, poor quality, and an unbalanced structure.

2.1. The nursing-aide and midwifery workforce is insufficient in quantity, inadequate in quality, and not properly balanced in structure.The nursing-midwifery system still has many limitations regarding qualifications, with most not having received training in patient care management.

2.2. The training system has not been standardized. There is a shortage of nursing-midwifery teachers with university and postgraduate degrees. Practical bases are limited and the specialized training system has yet to develop.

2.3. Practical care techniques have not been standardized and developed into standard procedures. Comprehensive care is just beginning, and basic patient care is often left to family members. Rural nursing-midwifery work and home-based care services have not been developed.

2.4. There is no comprehensive policy system. Attraction policies for the profession are lacking, and there has been insufficient overall investment, particularly financial investment in the nursing-midwifery field.

III. GOALS BY THE YEAR 2010.

1. General goals by 2010:

By 2010, ensure that patients receive comprehensive care at healthcare facilities and expand care services to families and communities, with care quality reaching regional standards and gradually integrating with global standards.

2. Specific Objectives:

2.1. Improve the nursing-midwifery organizational system from central to local levels and develop human resources to enhance care quality.

2.2. Complete the systems and policies for nursing-midwifery.

2.3. Establish a training system reaching the level and standards equivalent to those of average countries in the region.

2.4. Invest resources to implement comprehensive patient care in hospitals and extend community-oriented care services to difficult areas.

2.5. Standardize nursing-midwifery practice procedures.

2.6. Expand international cooperation to develop the nursing-midwifery field.

2.7. Develop policies concerning the living conditions, material, and spiritual well-being of nursing-midwifery staff.

3. Specific indicators for striving, monitoring, and evaluation (as attached).

IV. SOLUTIONS

1. Improve the organizational system and develop human resources.

1.1. Establish a National Advisory Council for Nursing-Midwifery: to advise the Ministry of Health on policies and professional standards for nursing-midwifery, serving as a basis for training, supervision, assessment, rewards, and utilization.

1.2. Strengthen personnel and responsibilities for the Nursing-Physiotherapy Department under the Treatment Department to enhance its management, operation, and supervisory roles. Aim to have a Deputy Director with a postgraduate degree in nursing-midwifery responsible for nursing-midwifery work within the Treatment Department.

1.3. Provincial Health Departments should have a Nursing-Midwifery Department. Initially, each Provincial Health Department should have a Chief Nurse as Deputy Head of Professional Affairs responsible for nursing-midwifery work.

1.4. Central hospitals, provincial hospitals, and hospitals affiliated with ministries and sectors should have Nursing-Midwifery Departments, with a Deputy Hospital Director responsible for care being a nurse-midwife. Each department should have a Deputy Head responsible for care being a nurse.

1.5. District health centers, county health centers, and city health centers (referred to as counties) should have Nursing-Midwifery Departments. A Deputy Director of the center should be a nurse-midwife responsible for care.

1.6. Ensure a ratio of 1 doctor to 2.5-3 nurses-midwives or 1 nurse-midwife for every 2 hospital beds.

2. Perfect policies and laws

2.1. Develop and supplement the criteria for nursing-midwifery civil service positions and propose to the Government to include nursing-midwifery civil service positions in the list of civil service position criteria for the health sector.

2.2. Develop and propose to supplement the salary scale for nursing-midwifery staff according to civil service positions.

2.3. Develop and supplement the duties and responsibilities of nursing-midwifery staff to align with civil service positions. Define the working relationship between nursing-midwifery staff and other specialties in the health sector.

2.4. Develop an Ordinance on nursing-midwifery practice.

3. Training and scientific research:

3.1. Plan the network and upgrade training institutions to form a nationwide nursing-midwifery training system, aiming to reach regional standards.

3.2 Standardize the nursing-midwifery teacher workforce in training institutions. Prioritize core teacher training.

3.3. Research and develop continuous education programs across different levels, training times, and specialized nursing fields.

3.4. Propose the Government to establish a University of Nursing.

3.5. Train master's and doctoral nursing staff both domestically and internationally.

3.6. Research and apply advances in science and technology and nursing theory to Vietnamese practice.

4. Investment policy

4.1. Invest in equipment and technology: Develop standards for medical equipment and tools to support comprehensive patient care in hospitals.

4.2. Financial investment in nursing-midwifery work includes state budget funds, international aid, and other sources.

4.3. Leaders of ministries and departments allocate a budget annually for nursing-midwifery activities.

5. Standardize care practice procedures

5.1. Complete and aim to establish national standards for "Hospital Patient Care Procedures."

5.2. Complete and aim to establish national standards for "Infection Control Procedures in Hospitals and Communities."

5.3. Develop models and projects illustrating comprehensive care for research and widespread application in hospitals and pilot community and home-based care models.

6. Expand international cooperation in the nursing-midwifery field.

6.1. Seek assistance from international organizations in terms of technology, equipment, and funding for nursing-midwifery work.

6.2. Cooperate and exchange with other countries in scientific research, study visits, conferences, and seminars on nursing-midwifery work.

6.3. Participate in international organizations specializing in nursing-midwifery in the region and globally.

7. Ensure the living conditions, material, and spiritual well-being of nursing-midwifery staff

7.1. Utilize diverse and effective communication methods to increase awareness of the role of nursing-midwifery staff.

7.2. Request the Government to supplement the cadre positions and salary scales for nursing-midwifery equivalent to those of other specialized fields with the same level of education and training duration.

7.3. Supplement prestigious titles for nursing-midwifery within the general titles of the healthcare sector.

7.4. Supplement additional allowances for nursing-midwifery.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Departments and Agencies under the Ministry of Health.

Departments and Agencies under the Ministry of Health shall implement based on the content of the national action plan to strengthen nursing-midwifery work according to their assigned functions and tasks. Specifically:

The Treatment Department will be responsible for directing, monitoring implementation, and annually evaluating results to report to the leadership of the Ministry of Health. The Treatment Department, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment and Family Planning, and the Professional Association will cooperate to implement solutions to improve service quality. Strengthen inspection and supervision of nursing-midwifery work.

The Planning Department will coordinate with relevant Departments and Agencies to develop: planning networks, training plans and scales, budget plans for the nursing-midwifery system in the annual and long-term plans of the health sector.

The Cadre and Civil Servant Affairs Department will coordinate with relevant Departments, Agencies, Committees, Sectors, and the Professional Association to implement solutions to enhance management roles, determine organizational models, develop human resources for nursing-midwifery, establish cadre positions for nursing-midwifery, and special wage and allowance policies.

The Investment Department will coordinate with relevant Departments and Agencies and the Professional Association to implement solutions to standardize training levels, programs, and materials, develop teaching staff, invest in practical facilities to improve training quality.

The Finance and Accounting Department: Allocate the annual budget for implementing the national plan to strengthen nursing-midwifery work and the training budget for nursing-midwifery.

The International Cooperation Department will be responsible for soliciting and mobilizing international resources to support nursing-midwifery work.

The Legal Department will cooperate with relevant Departments and Agencies to develop regulations, policies, and normative legal documents on nursing-midwifery.

2. Ministries, Departments of Health, and units directly under the Ministry.

Leaders of Ministries, Departments of Health, and units directly under the Ministry shall base their implementation plans on the action plan to strengthen nursing-midwifery work within their assigned responsibilities and organize annual reviews of implementation.

3. Implementation Phase

3.1 Phase 1 (2002-2005).

- Consolidate the nursing-midwifery organizational system in the health sector.

- Plan the training system and standardize training programs. Prioritize training for nursing educators.

- Amend and supplement policies, systems, guiding documents, and professional procedures.

- Prioritize building and successfully implementing pilot models to replicate nationwide.

3.2 Phase 2 (2006-2010):

- Institutionalize documents and policies to ensure sustainable development for the nursing-midwifery specialty.

- Expand comprehensive care activities at hospitals, in communities, and households.

- Focus on training and developing nursing-midwifery human resources./.