The Ministry of Health is seeking opinions on the draft Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Disease Prevention. A noteworthy point is the proposal for a roadmap to implement periodic health check-ups and free screening for people, prioritizing vulnerable groups from 2026 onwards.
Urgent to complete disease prevention policies
According to the Ministry of Health, after more than 18 years of implementing the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in 2007, the legal system has revealed many limitations. In particular, there is still a lack of specific regulations in managing non-communicable diseases, mental health disorders, nutritional factors and responding to emerging epidemics.
In that context, the promulgation of the Decree guiding the Law on Disease Prevention is considered an urgent requirement to complete the legal corridor, ensure the synchronous implementation of disease prevention solutions and improve the quality of community health care.
Free health check-ups at least once a year
The draft Decree proposing the content of periodic health check-ups and free screening will be regulated by the Minister of Health.
The groups of beneficiaries of the policy include:
Workers according to the provisions of law on occupational safety and health
The remaining groups in society
In which, employees continue to undergo health check-ups according to current regulations of labor law.
Prioritizing vulnerable groups from 2026 onwards
The draft proposes a specific roadmap: From 2026, prioritize periodic health check-ups or free screenings at least once a year for: Elderly people; People with disabilities; People from poor and near-poor households; People with meritorious services; People with chronic diseases; People living in ethnic minority areas, mountainous areas, difficult areas, island communes, special zones;
From 2028: Expanding implementation to all remaining target groups.
Based on the implementation results, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee will develop a plan to organize periodic health check-ups for people in the area.
At the same time, based on socio-economic conditions and budget capacity, the Provincial People's Council may decide to expand the subjects and list of services.
The draft also stipulates that the organization of periodic health check-ups and free screening is carried out: At licensed medical examination and treatment facilities; Organized mobilely at agencies and units according to legal regulations; All examination and screening activities must comply with professional guidance issued by the Ministry of Health.
