Doctors from Hà Nội Medical University provide free checkups and medicines to residents of rural Bắc Hà District in the northern province of Lào Cai in late June. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Ngọc Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Increasing health insurance coverage is important in efforts to build a democratic, equal, prosperous and happy society, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The Government leader was speaking at an event co-hosted by the Việt Nam Social Insurance (VSI) and the Ministry of Health in Hà Nội last weekend to mark Việt Nam Health Insurance Day (July 1). The Party and State always focus on protecting and caring for public health, he said, citing a range of relevant policies and guidelines aimed at helping the public overcome risks and cut medical costs. However, the PM pointed out the fact that almost 20 million Vietnamese people are still not covered under the Government-sponsored health insurance scheme, many of them from disadvantaged groups or those mired in other difficulties. In this context, the leader requested Party Committees at all levels, ministries and agencies to complete relevant mechanisms and policies, prioritising household health insurance coverage for those working in the agriculture, fishery and salt…