The adjustment would be carried out in two periods, the minister said at a meeting among several ministries and agencies and Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in early April.

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Eye examination at the Ophthalmology Hospital of central Thua Thien - Hue Province. (Photo for illustration)

She said the ministry would make amendments to a circular on payment of healthcare services by May this year and review medical services to determine which prices need to be adjusted.

In the second period, the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry and Vietnam Social Security would study the experiences of other countries to re-organise medical services and set new prices for some 2,000-3,000 services.

According to the minister, the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry and Vietnam Social Security are reviewing healthcare check-up frequency and frequency of use of scanning and health examination services to make adjustments to the prices.

The new prices of medical services will increase by 5 to 8 percent, according to the Health Ministry.

The increase is predicted to add some 3-4 trillion VND (130.5 million-174 million USD) per year to the health insurance fund.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue required the Health Ministry to calculate healthcare service prices in accordance with market mechanisms.

He also asked the Ministry to conduct open, transparent and competitive bidding on medical equipment and other supplies at some Health Ministry hospitals.

Source: VNA