The Ministry of Health of Vietnam has recently sent a letter to provincial and city authorities addressing various challenges faced in implementing free periodic health checkups for the public. The ministry has acknowledged feedback regarding difficulties in professional practices and the organization of these health checkups, particularly concerning examination content, technical lists, screening processes, and data reporting.

In response to these issues, the Ministry of Health has referenced Document 5008/BYT-KCB dated July 6, which outlines guidelines for periodic health examinations and screenings for citizens nationwide. This document consolidates professional guidance tailored to different demographic groups and age categories.

Some localities have requested the Ministry of Health to establish a unified technical list for clinical and subclinical examinations. Changes in examination content and subclinical indications during the implementation phase have complicated the organization of checkups and budget estimations. The ministry clarified that periodic health examinations should follow existing regulations, with subclinical examinations for individuals aged six and above conducted based on doctors' professional recommendations. Not all cases are required to undergo subclinical testing.

Another concern raised by localities is the lack of unified guidelines for utilizing and inheriting results from medical examinations, tests, and imaging services conducted within the year. This is crucial for updating electronic health records and avoiding unnecessary repeat examinations. The Ministry of Health has advised clinical doctors to consider existing subclinical results during periodic health checkups if they are accessible through the health insurance information system or personal electronic health records. If the results are still valid for diagnosis, there should be no need for retesting to prevent waste.

The Ministry also noted that various types of health examinations are regulated for specific groups, including occupational health checks, school health assessments, and periodic health checkups for individuals not included in these groups, which count towards the total number of people receiving free checkups as per Resolution 72-NQ/TW.

Significantly, under Decree 165/2026/NĐ-CP, health examinations conducted through health insurance are also included in the count of individuals receiving free periodic checkups if they have undergone health insurance examinations within the year but have not participated in other specified health check formats. The Ministry of Health will provide further guidance for units to compile and report data.

Addressing the challenge of insufficient medical personnel at local health stations, the Ministry of Health stated that if there is a lack of staff, particularly specialists in areas such as ophthalmology, ENT, and dentistry, local health departments may assign doctors to work at health stations on a fixed schedule. For concentrated health check events, localities should proactively develop suitable staffing plans. In cases where community health stations are inadequate, local authorities may direct healthcare facilities to collaborate and provide professional support or designate specific health stations as mobile health check locations.

For remote areas with dispersed populations and difficult transportation, the Ministry allows localities to organize mobile health checkups at health stations or community centers, provided that the executing units meet professional requirements. According to the Ministry's guidelines, the elderly, severely disabled individuals, critically ill patients, and bedridden individuals may receive home visits for health checkups or participate in mobile health examination teams when necessary.