The Hanoi Department of Health has asked all one-stop health shops in the city to  introduce cashless payment of fees and charges starting June 1.

According to the department, the pilot implementation of QR codes at one-stop shops in Hoan Kiem District has helped reduce the workload of health officials and staff, as well as made it more convenient for citizens.

Cashless payment area at Duc Giang General Hospital in Hanoi’s Long Bien District. Photo: VNA

It also facilitates the automatic remittance of fees to the treasury, minimizing the risks associated with holding cash and increasing the transparency of transactions between citizens and government health agencies.

The Department is asking units to provide support staff at the one-stop shops to help citizens without bank accounts or cashless payment devices to carry out transactions; to communicate and guide people to implement cashless payment when carrying out administrative procedures to ensure efficiency, speed and convenience.

Relevant agencies are responsible for informing and guiding citizens and businesses on the methods of cashless payment of fees and charges when conducting administrative procedures at health one-stop shops throughout Hanoi.

The goal is to ensure that 100% of transactions are cash-free. Health units are encouraged to use software solutions that generate dynamic QR codes.

Previously, the Ministry of Health (MoH) had a plan to promote electronic or cashless payments in the healthcare sector.

"The implementation of cashless payments will be an important task for the health sector as it has many benefits, including improved security, speed and accuracy," said the MoH.

The ministry will promote communication and raise people's awareness about the importance and benefits of cashless payment, and encourage people to use cash-free methods to pay hospital fees and tuition fees.

The MoH has set a goal for all hospitals and health centers to use digital medical records and cashless payments by 2025.