101 Outdoor workers selected to receive free Health Insurance

SLO – On the evening of 21st May 2025, the SocialLife Research Institute (SocialLife) coordinated an important meeting with representatives from community organisations to nominate profiles for consideration in the first round of a programme granting 100 free health insurance cards to outdoor workers. This is the result of a humanitarian initiative launched to address the healthcare challenges faced by some of the most disadvantaged workers in society.

Image: The programme “Contributing 100 Health Insurance Cards for Outdoor Workers.” Source: SocialLife Research Institute.

“Where would I get the money for a check-up, dear? Going to the hospital these days costs millions. When I’m in pain, all I can do is cry out to the heavens, because with these kinds of illnesses, you know how it is. And I don’t have the means to call a doctor,” confided a heartbroken elderly lottery ticket seller, reflecting the reality for millions of outdoor workers across the country. These workers face numerous daily challenges from extreme weather such as torrential rain, flooding, or extreme heat, to the constant risk of road accidents while earning a living on the streets… Makeshift diets of just a few pieces of bread lead to nutritional imbalances, dehydration, kidney stones, and a host of other health issues.

The sight of elderly people over 70 still carrying goods to sell, disabled individuals selling lottery tickets, or women hunched over collecting scrap materials has become a familiar yet distressing scene in urban landscapes. The programme to grant 100 free health insurance cards was initiated by the SocialLife Research Institute based on research into the health status of outdoor workers. The Tình Thân Fund took the lead in organising the effort, rallying 124 benevolent donors to fund the full cost of the 100 free cards.

The meeting on the evening of 21st May 2025 focused on discussing priority criteria for selecting beneficiaries in a transparent and fair manner. The main criteria considered included age, with priority given to older individuals, particularly those over 70 – the group often most in need of medical assistance. For those over 75, community organisations will be guided to help relatives complete procedures to benefit from newly issued state policies. Additionally, occupational criteria focused on high-risk groups such as street vendors, lottery ticket sellers, refuse collectors, construction workers, and painters. Notably, cases with special circumstances such as disabled individuals, single mothers with disabled children, and those with urgent medical needs were given top priority.

Image: Age distribution of programme applicants. Source: Organising Committee.

Image: Results of information registration methods for the programme. Source: Organising Committee.

The programme received a strong response from the community, with a total of 152 applications from various provinces and cities. Of these, 58 individuals self-registered, and 94 were registered by others. Geographically, the programme was primarily focused on Ho Chi Minh City with 115 applicants, Da Nang with 7, and other provinces. The average age of applicants was 46.1 years, with 40 individuals aged 55 and over. The occupational groups were diverse, ranging from street vendors (21 people), lottery ticket sellers (14 people), and refuse collectors (14 people), to construction workers (13 people).

Image: Statistics on the occupations of programme participants. Source: Organising Committee.

Following the meeting, the implementation team outlined a specific plan to finalise a list of 101 official beneficiaries and 2 alternates. They will contact organisations to collect citizen identification card information (scanned copies, as per health insurance registration regulations) and create guidance materials on how to use the health insurance card via the Social Insurance agency’s app. Simultaneously, they will sign a contract with an insurance agent upon completion of procedures, seek information to support the renewal of citizen identification cards for those lacking documents, and communicate information about the handover to beneficiaries while ensuring their privacy.

This programme not only provides healthcare opportunities for 100 outdoor workers but also lays the groundwork for similar activities in the future. With applications far exceeding expectations (152 compared to 100 cases), the programme has demonstrated the urgent need for health insurance within this community.

As shared during the meeting: “If the public fully understands the developmental spirit of the health insurance policy, it will lead to long-term benefits.” This is not merely a support programme but also an initial step towards a more equitable healthcare system for disadvantaged workers. With plans underway for a second distribution round drawing on the experience of the first, it is hoped that the programme will soon expand and continue to provide healthcare opportunities to more outdoor workers.

The programme is expected to complete the distribution of health insurance cards by June 2025.

SocialLife Research Institute