Phuoc Thang ward in Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a leader in the city's initiative to provide free health check-ups, with nearly 37% of its population, over 19,600 residents, participating in the program. The success of this initiative can be attributed to a well-organized approach that mobilized both local government and community organizations.

On July 25, the Director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health, Tang Chi Thuong, highlighted that the key difference in Phuoc Thang's approach is that it does not view the health check-up program as solely the responsibility of the health sector. Instead, the ward engaged the entire political system, from local leaders to community organizations, to participate actively in the initiative. This collaborative effort allowed the ward to reach more residents, address emerging issues promptly, and create a model that other areas could replicate.

Rather than assigning the health station to organize the checks, the ward created a list of residents categorized by age and neighborhood, assigning specific units and individuals to oversee the process. Additionally, the ward separated groups that had already received check-ups from businesses or organizations to avoid duplication. Weekly meetings were held to review progress and address any issues raised by residents.

To encourage participation, the ward mandated that all officials, civil servants, and party members undergo health checks first, fostering trust and increasing the persuasiveness of the campaign. The outreach strategy also evolved; instead of merely sending invitations, teams visited homes to explain the program's purpose, the nature of the health checks, and the benefits of having electronic health records, which allow doctors to quickly access patients' medical histories and address their concerns.

To facilitate access, the ward collaborated with various hospitals and clinics to offer health checks throughout the week and organized mobile health check-ups for those with mobility difficulties. Preparations for welcoming and processing data were made in advance, ensuring that residents' information was updated on the same day, thus minimizing paperwork backlog and reducing waiting times.

Based on this experience, Tang Chi Thuong concluded that when local governments proactively coordinate responsibilities and create conditions for residents to access services, participation rates in health check-ups can increase rapidly. Phuoc Thang ward was established following the administrative reorganization in 2025, merging three previous wards and now has a population of over 53,000, located near the coast and comprising residential areas, a port, and an industrial zone with a large workforce.

Ho Chi Minh City is currently implementing a program for free health check-ups and establishing electronic health records for all residents. The initiative is entering a peak phase with a 150-day campaign encouraging localities to accelerate efforts to expand health check-up coverage, detect diseases early, and manage residents' health in the long term. Health workers are visiting the homes of the elderly, disabled, chronically ill, and those who have difficulty traveling to health stations or hospitals.