On November 11, 2024, in Thanh Hoa province, the program ‘Learning and Experience Exchange visit’ took place within the framework of Project TA-9928 ‘Piloting Innovative Community-Based Long-Term Care Systems and Services.’ This event saw the participation of project experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), experts from HelpAge International in Vietnam (HAI), representatives from the Associations of the Elderly (AE), agencies in the health and labour – invalids and social affairs sectors of Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh provinces, and numerous delegates from the District Coordination Committee, Commune Sub-Coordination Committee, Case Managers (CM), Assistant Case Managers, and local Care Volunteers of the Project. The program was a valuable opportunity for all parties to sit together to exchange, share, and learn from each other’s experiences in implementing the case management system in the two project areas: Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, and Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province.
At the beginning of the event, the representatives from Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh provinces performed lively and unique performances that reflected the rich cultural identities of each locality. The traditional songs and dances created a warm and friendly atmosphere, helping the delegates to bond and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures.
In her opening speech, Ms. Tran Bich Thuy, Country Director of HAI, highlighted the importance of protecting, caring for, and promoting the role of older people in the context of rapid population ageing in Vietnam. Ms. Thuy also emphasized the role of building a sustainable and effective community-based long-term care system, praising the efforts and achievements of Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh provinces in piloting the model of the case management system within the framework of the Project.
Co-opening the program, Mr. Nguyen Duc Thang, Chairman of the Association of the Elderly of Thanh Hoa province, expressed his honor to be part of the event, highly valuing the significance and impact of the Project. Mr. Thang also mentioned some practical experiences that Thanh Hoa has accumulated through the implementation of long-term care via the Case Management System, encouraging mutual exchange and learning to bring the best benefits to older people.
The exchange program was divided into five discussion sessions, with 12 high-quality presentations from delegates who directly participated in the Project at the local level. The first part of the program, including three discussion sessions, took place in the morning at the conference hall of Thien Y Hotel, Thanh Hoa city. Interspersed between the discussions were cultural exchange performances between the two delegations, creating a lively, joyful atmosphere full of camaraderie among older people of the two localities. The first discussion session focused on identifying needs, providing services, ensuring quality, and enhancing the participation and satisfaction of older people and their families. In his presentation, Mr. Thieu Le Huan, Standing Member of the Provincial Association of the Elderly, and Project TA-9928 Officer in Thanh Hoa province, outlined the key activities and notable results of the Project in the province.
The Project’s activities have transformed the awareness and changed the behavior of families, children, and the community regarding the protection and healthcare of older people.
Mr. Thieu Le Huan, Standing Member of the Provincial Association of the Elderly, and Project TA-9928 Officer in Thanh Hoa province
In the second discussion session, the delegates shared good practices and experiences in encouraging, motivating, and maintaining the enthusiasm and commitment of local care volunteers. Ms. Bui Thi Tinh, Assistant CM in Que Kho village, Tu Son commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province, talked about the exemplary case of Ms. Bui Thi Hanh, a volunteer who showed great dedication and care in attending to Mrs. Lien, an older person with poor health, touching many people in the village. According to Ms. Tinh, the key to achieving such results lies in the careful selection criteria for assistant CM and volunteer groups from the outset, choosing individuals who are capable of participating, sociable, highly responsible, and committed to the long-term activities of the Project. Additionally, the secret to maintaining the “fire” in the volunteer team, as shared by Ms. Tinh, is the regular group activities and the open spirit of mutual discussion and support in challenging tasks, ensuring that no volunteer has to shoulder the burden alone.
In the third session, delegates representing the Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs, the commune health stations, the district health centers, and the Commune People’s Committees highlighted the participation and roles of the stakeholders in providing care services for older people, particularly the health sector. The delegates emphasized that close coordination between the stakeholders is a key factor in building a comprehensive and effective care system.
After the lunch break, the delegates moved to the Vinh Phuc Commune People’s Committee Hall, Vinh Loc District, Thanh Hoa Province to continue the exchange program. The fourth discussion session of the program focused on mobilizing resources to support older people in the Case Management System. Two presentations from delegates from Ha Son village, Tu Son commune, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province, and Bai Xuan village, Vinh Phuc commune, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, emphasized the importance of effectively mobilizing and utilizing resources from both local authorities and the community to support older people. Besides the notable achievements, the delegates also shared some ongoing challenges in the Project’s implementation, such as the initial lack of understanding and consensus among the populace and some local officials due to limited communication about the project’s goals and significance, or obstacles in caring for older people with severe illnesses.
In the final discussion session, the delegates presented plans to maintain and expand the model after the conclusion of the Project. Representatives from the Coordination Committees in both project areas, Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province, and Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, highly appreciated the profound humanitarian significance of the community-based long-term care service model implemented through the Case Management System at the local level. They proposed that local party committees, authorities, and relevant agencies continue to implement and scale up the model.
For Vinh Loc district, after the conclusion of the Project, the villages will continue to maintain and organize support and care activities for older people who have been included in the Project’s management. These activities will be directly and proactively carried out by the Village Case Manager Assistants Group, with oversight and support from the Association of the Elderly and the Commune Health Station.
Mr. Trinh The Chuyen, Chairman of the Association of the Elderly, Vice chair of the Project Coordination Committee of Vinh Loc District, Thanh Hoa Province
After a day of lively and meaningful work, the learning and exchange program within the framework of Project TA-9928 ‘Piloting Innovative Community-Based Long-Term Care Systems and Services’ concluded with many notable outcomes. The delegates discussed, shared valuable practical experiences, and proposed many innovative and feasible solutions to improve the case management and care system for older people in the community.
The discussion sessions emphasized the importance of close coordination among stakeholders, including local authorities, social organizations, healthcare professional agencies, the Community-Based Case Management System, and the older people and their families. The success stories and models shared by villages highlighted the challenges, difficulties, and opportunities in the process of implementing the Case Management System.
The delegates attending the event all agreed that improving the quality of care and support for older people is not solely the responsibility of any one organization or individual, but requires the collective effort of the entire society. With that spirit, this event has created an open forum where all opinions and contributions are listened to and respected.
TA-9928 – ‘Piloting Innovative Community-Based Long-Term Care Systems and Services’ Sponsor: Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Project Owner: Ministry of Health (Health Insurance Department) Implementing Organization for the Pilot Model: HelpAge International in Vietnam (HAI) in cooperation with the Associations of the Elderly in Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh provinces
- Hoa Binh province: Dong Ngoai village, Thao Ca village and Vo Coi village of Vinh Tien commune; Bai Chao village, Ha Son village and Que Kho village of Tu Son commune, Kim Boi district
- Thanh Hoa province: Bai Xuan village, Dong Minh village and Van Hanh village of Vinh Phuc commune; Pho Moi village, Tho Phu village and Xuan Giai village of Vinh Tien commune, Vinh Loc district
