Ong The Due is a thoughtful researcher and advocate who aspires towards a comprehensive, systemic understanding of health equity. As the Vice Head of Department of Health Financing and Health Technology Assessment at the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Vietnam, Due engages in policy advocacy through evidence-based research supporting positive change within the healthcare sector.

Having been in this position for over 10 years, Due has been the technical focal point in various studies and systemic initiatives to ensure quality healthcare services that alleviate financial burden on patients, including developing the national master plan of healthcare facilities to improve geographical access to quality healthcare, conducting cost-effectiveness analyses to inform expanding coverage for drugs and screening services in the health insurance benefit package, as well as to inform drug price negotiation, which aim to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Due looks forward to deepening his understanding of the multifaceted nature of health inequities and their potential remedies through his participation in the EI fellowship. He intends to apply these insights to future policy research endeavors, towards contributing to the overarching goal of achieving health equity for the people of Viet Nam in the years to come.