Decision No. 3526/2004/QĐ-BYT on approving the health education communication program until 2010

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Regarding the approval of the health education communication program

until 2010

__________________________

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Based on Decree No. 49/2003/NĐ-CP dated 15/5/2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Based on the Law on People's Health Protection dated June 30, 1989;

Based on Decision No. 35/2001/QĐ-TTg dated 19/3/2001 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy for Health Care and Protection of the People for the period 2001-2010;

At the proposal of the Director of the Legal Department.

DECISION:

Article 1.Approve the Health Education Communication Program until 2010.

Article 2. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 3. The Heads of the Office, Inspectorate, Legal Department, Heads of Departments under the Ministry of Health, Director of the Vietnam National Drug Administration, Director of the Preventive Health and HIV/AIDS Control Department, Director of the Food Safety and Sanitation Department, Heads of units directly under the Ministry of Health, Heads of Health Services, Directors of Provincial Health Services under central cities are responsible for implementing this Decision.

ACTION PROGRAM

HEALTH EDUCATION COMMUNICATION UNTIL 2010

(Issued along with Decision No. 3526/2004/QĐ - BYT

dated October 6, 2004 of the Minister of Health)

I. LEGAL BASIS AND NEEDS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION COMMUNICATION

The Party and the Government of Vietnam have issued many guiding documents on the work of Health Care and Protection of the People (HC&PP) such as: the Law on People's Health Protection 1989, the Ordinance on Prevention of Viruses Causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) 1995, the Ordinance on Food Safety and Sanitation 2003, the Ordinance on Private Practice of Medicine and Pharmacy 2003, the HC&PP Strategy for the period 2001-2010, the National Nutrition Strategy for the period 2001-2010, the National Strategy on Reproductive Health Care for the period 2001-2010, the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020, the National Target Program on Prevention and Control of Certain Social Diseases and Dangerous Epidemics (malaria prevention, tuberculosis control, dengue fever control, leprosy control, goiter control, expanded immunization, community mental health protection...), and other national policies. These programs have been and are being implemented through the internal strength of the entire health sector and with the leadership and concern of the Party organizations and authorities at all levels, the active participation of mass organizations and the people, and the support of international organizations.

To contribute to successfully implementing the above policies, health education communication (HEC) plays a very important role. Therefore, building the HEC Action Program until 2010 is a necessary and urgent need.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. General objectives

Enhance the awareness and practice of Party organizations and authorities at all levels, political-social organizations, communities, and each individual about the work of health care, protection, and improvement of people's health, contributing to the successful implementation of the HC&PP Strategy for the period 2001-2010.

2. Specific goals and targets until 2010

2.1- Make Party organizations and authorities at all levels and all citizens understand the policies of the Party and State in the field of health care.

Specific targets:

100% of Party organizations and authorities at all levels fully recognize the role of primary health care and enhance their leadership and guidance responsibilities for strengthening and improving the primary health care network (Directive No. 06-CT/TW of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam).

Percentage of people accessing information on policies for health care and protection of the people: 100% in plains, 90% in mountainous areas, remote regions.

Percentage of people understanding policies, laws in the field of health; about patriotic emulation movements, good deeds and exemplary individuals in the health sector: 70% in plains and 50% in mountainous areas.

2.2- Enhance the awareness of the people so that they can change behaviors detrimental to their health into beneficial ones, proactively prevent diseases, protect their own health, and actively participate in community health care work.

Specific targets:

Increase the knowledge of the people about HIV/AIDS prevention: 100% of urban residents and 80% of rural and mountainous residents correctly understand and know how to prevent HIV/AIDS (National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Vietnam until 2010 with a vision to 2020). Male Percentage of households mastering basic health practices and common medical knowledge: 60% in plains, 50% in mountainous areas (National Standard for Commune Health).

Percentage of mothers having knowledge and skills in proper nutrition for children reaching 60% by 2010 (National Nutrition Strategy for the period 2001-2010).

Increase the percentage of people understanding and participating in national target health programs. Percentage of people accessing information and participating in disease prevention: 100% in epidemic-prone areas, 90% in other areas.

Increase the knowledge and practice of the people regarding the use of traditional medicine combined with modern medicine in disease prevention and treatment.

2.3. Promote socialization and diversification of health education communication work, creating a favorable environment for people to self-care, protect, and improve their health through models: Cultural-Health Villages promoting nationwide health campaigns, Accident and Injury Prevention Building Safe Communities...

100% of Health Education Communication Centers develop various forms of communication and produce health education communication materials in various formats suitable for different regions, levels, languages, and customs of ethnic groups.

Specific targets:

80% of people in villages and communes understand and actively participate in the construction of "Healthy Cultural Villages"

as stipulated in Circular No. 02/2003/TT-BYT dated March 28, 2003 of the Ministry of Health guiding the implementation of the coordinated activities program to promote health care and protection of the people in the movement "All People United to Build a Civilized Life". Percentage of people accessing information on accident and injury prevention and building safe communities: 100% in plains and 80% in mountainous areas. 2.4. Enhance the capacity of the health education communication system from central to grassroots levels.

The proportion of people accessing information on accident prevention and injury prevention and building safe communities: 100% in the delta region and 80% in mountainous areas.

2.4. Enhance the capacity of the GDSK communication system from central to grassroots levels.

Specific targets:

100% provinces and centrally governed cities have Health Education and Communication Centers (GDSK), which are adequately staffed in terms of quantity, quality, and structure. 100% provincial health units have a team or a communication officer for GDSK. 100% district and county health centers have a GDSK communication team. 100% commune and ward health stations have a communication officer for GDSK, and 95% of villages and hamlets have healthcare workers or GDSK communication volunteers.

100% of communicators, commune-level healthcare workers, and village-level healthcare workers are trained in GDSK knowledge and skills.

100% of provincial and city Health Education and Communication Centers implement training for lower-level communicators on professional knowledge and skills; organize research, production of appropriate communication materials tailored to target groups and local characteristics.

100% healthcare facilities (provincial hospitals, provincial health centers, district health centers, and commune health stations) have integrated counseling-communication rooms.

Commune-level healthcare workers conduct communication through communal loudspeakers: four times or more per month in plains areas and two times or more per month in mountainous regions.

Village-level healthcare workers participate in organizing and implementing communication at community meetings: six times or more per year in plains areas and four times or more per year in mountainous regions.

2.5 Ensure financial support, working premises, and equipment for GDSK communication activities from central to grassroots levels.

Specific targets:

100% of provincial and city Health Education and Communication Centers have offices and adequate equipment according to their functions and responsibilities.

100% of GDSK communication teams at provincial and district levels are equipped with basic facilities to serve GDSK communication work.

100% of commune health stations have integrated GDSK communication-counseling rooms, with sufficient materials and equipment to meet operational requirements.

Ensure that 1.5-2% of the annual health budget is allocated for the operation of the GDSK communication system.

III. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

1- Group of solutions to achieve Objective 2.1: Make Party organizations and authorities at all levels and the public understand the policies of the Party and State regarding healthcare.

1.1- Proactively disseminate the Party's guidelines and the State's policies on people's health care such as Directive 06-CT/TW of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam on consolidating and improving the primary healthcare network; the policy of universal health insurance, medical examination and treatment policy for the poor...

1.2- Promote campaigns initiated by the health sector such as the construction of cultural-health villages, outstanding comprehensive hospitals, and standardized commune health services...

2- Group of solutions to achieve Objective 2.2: Enhance the awareness of the public so they can change unhealthy behaviors to healthy ones, proactively prevent diseases, protect their own health, and actively participate in community health care.

2.1. Strengthen indirect health education and communication through mass media.

2.2. Intensify direct communication at community meetings, household visits, group discussions... Promote health education and communication activities in general schools.

2.3. Develop various types of health education and communication materials (printed materials, audiovisuals...) to meet the increasingly diverse needs of the community, suitable for the level of understanding, customs, and languages of ethnic groups.

3- Group of solutions to achieve Objective 2.3: Promote socialization and diversification of health education and communication activities, creating a favorable environment for the public to self-care, protect, and improve their health through models such as Cultural-Health Villages, Accident Prevention Programs, Safe Communities...

3.1. Proactively coordinate with mass media agencies to implement health education and communication activities on the above contents.

3.2. Strengthen cooperation with departments, associations, and individuals in identifying needs, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluating health education and communication activities.

3.3. Enhance exchanges and cooperation with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals on information, materials, publications, and sharing experiences in the field of health education and communication.

3.4. Establish and expand cooperation with international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in health education and communication (scientific research, training of officers, experts, and volunteers...).

3.5. Seek technical and financial support from international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to develop the health education and communication cause.

4- Group of solutions to achieve Objective 2.4: Improve the capacity of the health education and communication system from central to grassroots levels.

4.1. Amend and supplement Decision No. 911/1999/QĐ-BYT dated March 31, 1999 of the Minister of Health on the functions, tasks, and organizational structure of provincial and city Health Education and Communication Centers; provincial and centrally governed city health units and district health centers have GDSK communication teams (team leaders are dedicated staff members); commune and ward health stations have GDSK communication officers; communicators are village-level healthcare workers and non-healthcare sector volunteers.

4.2. The Ministry of Health will cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to incorporate specific content on health education and communication into training programs in universities, colleges, and secondary health and pharmaceutical schools.

4.3. The Ministry of Health will cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to establish a coordination mechanism for health education and communication.

4.4. The Ministry of Health will cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors to issue documents on labor norms and personnel structures of provincial and centrally governed city Health Education and Communication Centers (minimum staffing is 15 officers).

4.5. Rename the Ministry of Health's Health Education and Communication Center to the National Health Education and Communication Center and upgrade it to Class I status.

4.6. Strengthen specialized training in health education and communication for communication officers and healthcare workers at all levels.

4.7. Intensify research and development of various types of health education and communication materials suitable for different target groups in different regions.

4.8. Strengthen scientific research work and evaluate the effectiveness of GDSK communication activities.

5- Group of solutions to achieve target 2.5: Ensure financial resources, workplace facilities, and equipment for GDSK communication activities from central to grassroots levels.

5.1. Upgrade existing headquarters of Centers, construct new headquarters for Centers without existing ones and newly established Centers; allocate workspace for communication teams at provincial and district-level healthcare facilities; set up integrated communication-counseling rooms at commune health stations.

5.2. Modernize and upgrade equipment at all levels concurrently with training communication staff for GDSK.

5.3. Mobilize financial resources from multiple sources (domestic and international) for GDSK communication activities. Incorporate communication funding for national health programs into the GDSK communication system based on coordination and integration.

5.4. Include budget limits for GDSK communication activities in the annual budget plans of healthcare at all levels. Ensure 1.5 to 2% of the annual healthcare budget for GDSK communication system activities.

5.5. Propose to relevant authorities to amend, supplement, and issue new guiding documents on financial management in the field of GDSK communication within their jurisdiction.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Regarding organization

1.1- The Ministry of Health assigns the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Health as the leading agency, coordinating with the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health and related agencies in directing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the results of the GDSK Communication Action Program until 2010.

1.2- The GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health serves as the permanent office assisting the Ministry of Health in technical implementation, organizing supervision and periodic evaluation of the GDSK Communication Action Program until 2010.

1.3- During the implementation process, it is necessary to always focus on enhancing capacity while effectively determining investment directions for resources to ensure sustainable development of the GDSK communication cause.

1.4- Establish a Steering Committee at two levels. The Central Steering Committee shall be headed by a Deputy Minister of Health, with the Director of the Department of Legal Affairs and the Director of the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health serving as Deputy Heads, and the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health as the permanent office. At local and ministry levels, the Director of the Provincial Health Department and the Head of Health Departments of ministries and sectors shall serve as Heads, with the Deputy Director of the Health Services Department and the Director of the GDSK Communication Center, province, city, ministry, and sector serving as Deputy Heads, and the GDSK Communication Center, province, city, ministry, and sector as the permanent office.

1.5- Develop a Ministry-level Project to create resources for effective direction and implementation of the GDSK Communication Action Program until 2010.

2. Responsibilities of agencies and units

2.1- The Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Health coordinates with the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health in directing, coordinating, and evaluating the results of implementation.

2.2- The GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health coordinates with related agencies in reviewing, amending, and supplementing current documents and proposing the construction of new documents for submission to competent authorities for issuance, including renaming the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health to the Central GDSK Communication Center and upgrading it to Class I.

2.3- The Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Health incorporates into the general plan, ensuring financial balance, including international support investments for the GDSK communication sector, participating in monitoring and supervising implementation.

2.4- The Department of Organization and Cadres, Ministry of Health coordinates with related agencies in drafting, amending, and supplementing regulatory documents on organizational structure, human resources, and policies for the GDSK communication sector.

2.5- The Department of Science and Training, Ministry of Health coordinates with related agencies in directing universities, colleges, and secondary medical and pharmaceutical schools to include specific content on GDSK communication in their training programs.

2.6- Departments, Bureaus, Inspectors, Office, and subordinate units under the Ministry of Health coordinate with the Department of Legal Affairs and the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health to implement communication activities related to their respective fields of work.

2.7- The Vietnam Medical Association Male coordinates with the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health to promote knowledge about health and health care for union members and employees.

3. Responsibilities of local health and health sectors

Directors of Provincial Health Departments and Heads of Health Sectors of ministries and sectors are responsible for organizing the implementation of the Action Program within their respective regions and sectors.

4. Coordination Mechanism

4.1- Based on objectives and solutions, subordinate agencies and units under the Ministry of Health shall develop specific implementation plans according to their functions and responsibilities.

4.2- Every six months, the Department of Legal Affairs and the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health organize evaluations of implementation activities with the participation of relevant departments, associations, and mass organizations.

4.3- Every six months, local health and sectoral health have the responsibility to report implementation results to the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health for consolidation and reporting to the Ministry of Health (through the Department of Legal Affairs) on progress and results.

4.4- It is necessary to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination at both local and sectoral levels, and maintain close contact with the Department of Legal Affairs and the GDSK Communication Center, Ministry of Health.

5. Implementation Plan:

5.1- Phase 1 (2005-2007): Implement activities, prioritizing the following: issuing legal documents; improving organizational structure; developing networks; investing in infrastructure construction; purchasing equipment; training staff...Develop the network; invest in infrastructure construction;Purchase equipment; train staff...

5.2- Phase 2 (2008-2010):Continue implementing previous activities, prioritizing the following: community-oriented communication; behavioral science research; understanding and meeting community communication needs; developing communication formats and health education materials; evaluating communication effectiveness. At the end of this phase, the GDSK Communication Action Program for the period 2011-2020 will be developed./.