02-Jul-15 The number of healthcare insurance holders in Vietnam has reached 64.6 mn, 71.4% of the population. This marks an increase of 2.7 mn over one year. The Health Ministry has set a target of 75% for 2015, however several provinces and cities have not included the target in their development programmes, making achieving it difficult. [image: Tienphong]

02-Jul-15 An online service for issuing medical equipment import licences has been launched by Vietnam's Health Ministry. It aims to simplify admin procedures for medical equipment importers. Importers can now submit documents, pay fees, check the progress of applications online. The ministry receives registration applications from about 700 importers every month. [image: Vietnam News / Duong Ngoc]

17-Jun-15 By 2030, Japan's healthcare costs could be 20% of GDP, experts say. The ageing population and a preference for hospital treatment add to an already overburdened system. The government has been studying wellness, disease prevention, treatment and early detection programs and a recent 'Health Policy White Paper 2015' recommends 200 policies “likely to yield significant positive potential impact”. [image: InterNations]

30-Jun-15 SMalaysia's medical tourism industry continues to rake in more income for the country, with MYR1 bn (USD264 mn) expected in 2015. “Malaysia's share of the medical tourism market has nearly doubled in the last four years. In 2014, it reached 770,000 patients, bringing in revenue of around MYR700 mn,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. [image: The Star]

30-Jun-15 The Chinese government will support domestic hospitals in promoting Chinese medicine worldwide, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council has said. It is encouraging domestic hospitals to foster ties with hospitals in other counties run by overseas Chinese and to set up Chinese medicine centres abroad. [image: UPI / Stephen Shaver]