The National Assembly on November 25 discussed two national target programs on healthcare, population, and the program on modernizing and improving the quality of education and training.

Speaking at the Hanoi NA delegation, General Secretary To Lam stressed that culture, healthcare, and education are extremely important pillars that are not only goals but also drivers for development. These are the core, essential areas of society and the country.

“We need to have strong human resources, not only healthy but with courage, thinking, knowledge, and awareness,” the General Secretary affirmed.

According to the General Secretary, regardless of how growth is achieved, it must be enjoyed by the people. If growth is high but people still run out of money by the end of the month, or fall ill and life is not enjoyable, then that is not our goal. “Life must be peaceful, light, and joyful,” he shared.

He emphasized that implementing the two target programs is not only the task of the education and health sectors but the entire society and all citizens.

Regarding the healthcare sector, Lam stated that the program must clearly define what goals must be achieved in providing checkups and improving people’s health by 2030 and 2035.

Highlighting the importance of primary healthcare and preventive medicine, he noted that the program is currently focused too much on treatment, as a form of “firefighting,” because poor prevention allows diseases to spread, leading to an overemphasis on treatment and emergency care.

He also stressed the importance of air quality, water, and food hygiene to prevent diseases, as these are the root causes of many illnesses.

If healthcare focuses only on treatment while allowing pollution, dirty water, and unsafe food, then diseases will continue to arise.

“If food safety is not ensured, then no matter how many hospitals are built, it will never be enough, and no amount of doctors trained can solve this problem,” he said, emphasizing the need to address the root causes.

Regarding investment in education and healthcare, the General Secretary highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure, hospitals, equipment, and human resources such as teachers and physicians.

“Are these aspects already standardized, or are there still complaints here and there that undermine trust? These bad cases are few, but they cannot be allowed to affect the entire sector,” he said.

National target programs to focus on vulnerable groups

In education, the General Secretary mentioned the policy of consolidating schools and building 248 multi-level boarding schools in border communes to support children in difficult areas, with plans to expand to communes near the border.

Regarding the goal of making English the second language in schools, he noted: “How many English teachers are there? If teachers are insufficient, where will children study, and how can the goal be achieved? It is not only about learning English but also learning math and literature in English.”

He also emphasized the need to care for abandoned children, noting that public care centers currently take care of only about 15,000 children.

“Is anyone being left behind? This is exactly where society must step in. If society does not participate, then who can we rely on? There are many abandoned children,” he said.

Additionally, there are 8 million people with disabilities, including many children who need attention and care.

He proposed that investments must be made from the beginning to nurture these children into decent individuals who can study, contribute, serve, and be grateful to society.

“The national target programs need to focus very specifically on vulnerable groups and marginalized lives,” he said.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has presented to the NA the proposal on the national target program for healthcare, population, and development for the 2026–2035 period.

The Minister said the total budget for the program in 2026-2035 is VND125.478 trillion. From 2026-2030, the budget is VND88.635 trillion (including VND68 trillion from the central budget and VND20.041 trillion from local budgets). The projected budget for 2031-2035 is VND36.843 trillion.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has presented the proposal on the national target program for modernizing and improving the quality of education and training for 2026-2035. The total mobilized resources for the program during this period are estimated at VND580.133 trillion.

Tran Thuong