Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long receives WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific

On the afternoon of August 25, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received Mr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, who is visiting Vietnam.

At the reception, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long welcomed Mr. Saia Ma'u Piukala to visit Vietnam on a special occasion - the 80th anniversary of National Day, thereby demonstrating the close relationship between WHO and Vietnam, and demonstrating the increasingly deep cooperative relationship between the two sides.

Expressing his joy at visiting Vietnam on this special occasion, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Saia Ma'u Piukala said he felt the joyful atmosphere and pride of the Vietnamese people when he witnessed the images of people going to watch the parade. This is his second visit to Vietnam.

The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in recent times; and highly appreciated the vision of Vietnamese leaders in developing a project with a roadmap to gradually reduce the burden of medical costs for the people, moving towards free hospitalisation for all in the period from 2030-2035.

The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific also welcomed Vietnam’s adoption of the Law on Special Consumption Tax (amended) in June 2025, which increases taxes on alcohol, beer, tobacco, and high-sugar soft drinks as well as bans on e-cigarettes. According to him, this decision is important for protecting the health of adolescents.

He also said that the WHO's awarding of the "World No Tobacco Day" Award to the Vietnamese Minister of Health on the morning of August 25 also demonstrated Vietnam's commitment in this field.

Mr. Saia Ma'u Piukala thanked the Vietnamese Government for promoting cooperation with WHO and affirmed that WHO is ready to provide technical support and assistance to improve the health of Vietnamese people; at the same time, he expressed his wish to continue strengthening cooperation with Vietnam, and WHO will continue to support Vietnam in the coming time.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long highly appreciated the recognition of the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific on the efforts and achievements of the Vietnamese Government in the health sector.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the vision of free hospitalisation and free periodic health check-ups for people is a strong commitment, demonstrating the determination of the Party and Government of Vietnam in improving the quality of life for the people. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the support and companionship of WHO in this journey.

The Deputy Prime Minister also thanked WHO for its support to Vietnam, including its comments and advice in the health policy-making process and support for Vietnam in many specific programs and projects.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the viewpoint of the Vietnamese Party and State on people's health care is very clear and consistent. People's health care is the common task of the entire political system. Disease prevention will be given more attention, not waiting for illness to be treated but trying to improve people's health and reduce the number of people going to hospital.

During the process of reforming the apparatus, although communes were merged, the system of commune health stations remained the same. In the near future, the Politburo will pass a resolution on a breakthrough in public health care.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his wish to continue receiving close cooperation from WHO in the areas of policy advice, human resource training support, health policy communication, and disease prevention and control.

The Deputy Prime Minister once again affirmed Vietnam's active and responsible participation in the noble work of the World Health Organization to improve health for all./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/pho-thu-tuong-le-thanh-long-tiep-giam-doc-who-khu-vuc-tay-thai-binh-duong-post1057872.vnp