In their efforts to demonstrate the nation's morality of “Loving others as you love yourself”, businesses and philanthropists across Da Nang are active in donating cash to offer social insurance books and health insurance cards to the disadvantaged people. The intention is to help these people get access to welfare benefits and comprehensive healthcare services. These meaningful and heartwarming gifts will give them an extra strength  to overcome difficulties in life in the context of the approaching Lunar New Year 2024.

The Da Nang Social Insurance Department Vice Director Nguyen Hung Anh (middle) handling Social Insurance books to the disadvantaged in Hoa Cuong Bac Ward. Photo: NGUYEN QUANG

Receiving a free health insurance card as part of the  “Offering Social Insurance Books and Health Insurance Cards to the Disadvantaged” program, 37 year-old Ho Thi Trinh, a resident of Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, expressed her joy and gratitude to the Da Nang Social Insurance Department, businesses, and units for their support.

“I haven’t had the chance to enroll in health insurance because of my difficult living conditions. The offered health insurance card gives me the chance to get access to healthcare services. If my business earns a profit in the future, I will join the pension insurance scheme voluntarily in a bid to reduce the financial burden of my children” – Mrs. Trinh remarked.

35 year-old Phan Thi Tuy Ngoc, a resident of Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, under similar circumstances shared that she had acknowledged the benefits of the voluntary social insurance program, hence, when being granted a free 6-month period of enrollment in social insurance, she was full of joy. She also implied that she would try to set a budget for Social Insurance for the upcoming years so that she can receive old-age pension under this scheme.

Meanwhile, 41-year-old Nguyen Thi Dao, a resident of Hoa Cuong Bac Ward, Hai Chau District, is living in poverty and a single mother of two children while her income is precarious, making it challenging for her to afford voluntary social insurance.

"I would like to thank organizations and individuals for their support and care as they gave me a social insurance book. This is a meaningful gift that helps me enjoy a happy Lunar New Year," remarked Mrs. Dao.

In a continuous effort to support those in need, the Da Nang Airport has been active in joining hands with the municipal authorities to ensure welfare benefits for the poor. In 2023,  the Da Nang Airport donated over VND 55.6 million to offer social insurance books and health insurance cards to the disadvantaged people. This initiative is part of the airport’s charitable activities, VND18 million donated to the Oncology Department of Da Nang General Hospital, VND 70 million for the Fund "For the Poor" in 7 wards, namely Hoa Thuan Tay ward in Hai Chau District, Hoa Khe, An Khe, Chinh Gian, Thac Gian, Vinh Trung, Khue Trung wards in Thanh Khe District, VND 20 million for the Rehabilitation Center for Severely Wounded Veterans and Revolutionary Contributors based in Quang Nam Province and the Da Nang Care Center for Revolutionary Contributors.

Mr, To Ngoc Hai, the Deputy Director of Da Nang Airport, said: "The airport wants to join hands with the city to support the poor, thereby encouraging its staff to show their kindness and love towards those in need. Cash donation for giving social insurance books and health insurance cards to the poor is a meaningful activity, demonstrating the corporate social responsibility. Despite economic challenges anticipated in 2024, we will strive to continue our social activities to support the city's effective poverty reduction goals."

In parallel with caring for the well-being of its staff, the Da Nang Port has consistently shown great care in helping those in need. Recently, the company has donated VND 20 million to give health insurance cards and social insurance books for the disadvantaged.

Mr. Le Tan Minh, the Chairman of the Da Nang Port’s Trade Union organization, shared that the cash contributions was made by the port’s employees with their desire to support those in difficult circumstances and vulnerable persons.

In 2023, the Port donated over VND 4.4 billion for charitable and social activities. To help those in need enjoy a happy Lunar New Year 2024, the Port will visit and provide material support for disadvantaged people in 4 wards: An Hai Bac, Nai Hien Dong, Tho Quang, and An Hai Dong in Son Tra District, as well as those in need in remote and mountainous areas in Quang Nam Province.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hung Anh, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Social Insurance Department, the unit has organized numerous meaningful programs and activities, including fundraising campaigns to give free health insurance cards and social insurance books to the poor. These meaningful activities demonstrated the responsibility of Social Insurance sector, local political-social organizations and citizens of the city in providing timely support for those in need.

"The program to give free health insurance cards and social insurance books to the poor aims to spread the kindness and love in local communities. In 2024, we hope for more organizations and individuals to join this program to provide practical support to those in need in an effort to help them get access to comprehensive healthcare services, and accelerate progress towards universal health coverage in Viet Nam." said Mr. Anh.

In December 2023, the Da Nang Social Insurance Department gave 168 social insurance books and 20 health insurance cards, totaling over VND 318.8 million, to poor families across the city.

Reporting by NGUYEN QUANG – Translating by THAO TRANG