Barriers in using health services and implementing health care programs for ethnic minority groups in somes provinces in Vietnam, 2019

Abstract

Since 1986, a number of health care policies for ethnic minorities have been issued and implemented, and some achievements have been achieved in reducing distance of health care. However, the results still have certain limitations. This study was conducted to identify barriers in using health services and implementing health care programs for ethnic minorities in some provinces in 2019. A qualitative research was conducted among 130 people (18 focus group discussions and 27 in-depth inverivews) among respondent who direct and implement policies at provincial, district, commune levels and ethnic minorities. Research has shown a number of barriers in ethnic minority people’s use to health services, including difcult geographical distance, weather; availability of health services; no specifc health care policy, a lack of health data and report of ethnic minorities group, difculties after the merger and medical autonomy process; remuneration for health workers is not appropriate and attractive. This study recommeded that it is necessary to supplement specifc health care policies, to collect health data for ethnic minorities. There should be adjmustments to the merger and autonomy process suitable for areas and provinces where there are ethnic minorities.