Implemented once a year at the beginning of the school year
Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen has just signed and issued a Circular stipulating and guiding the implementation of a number of articles in Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Disease Prevention.
Regarding health checks at the beginning of the school year for learners in educational institutions, the Circular guides the frequency, location of implementation and content of health checks at the beginning of the school year.
Accordingly, the frequency and location of health check-ups at the beginning of the school year for children in preschool education institutions and students in general education institutions are performed once a year at the beginning of the school year;
The examination location is at an educational institution or commune-level Health Station or medical examination and treatment facility or another location suitable to the actual conditions and according to the provisions of law on medical examination and treatment.
Regarding health checks at the beginning of the school year for children in preschool education institutions and students in general education institutions, the Ministry of Health clearly stated that health checks at the beginning of the school year are aimed at assessing the initial health status of learners, early detection of common health problems, diseases, and habits at school age and counseling, monitoring or transferring to medical examination and treatment facilities when necessary.
What are the contents of student health check-ups?
The content of health checks at the beginning of the school year for children in preschool education institutions includes: assessment of vital signs, nutrition assessment, assessment of mental - motor detection (including assessment of children's behavior and abilities by age including: Normal mental development of children by age; Normal motor development of children by age; for children from 16-30 months old, assessment of autism risk), vaccination assessment.
Along with that is clinical examination including: head and neck examination, eye examination, ear - nose - throat, teeth - mouth, muscle - bone - nerve.
Regarding health checks at the beginning of the school year for students in general education institutions, the Ministry of Health guides exploratory examinations of obstetric conditions, physical examinations, clinical examinations...
The Ministry of Health clearly stated that in case localities organize periodic health checks at the beginning of the school year for children in preschool education institutions and students in general education institutions according to the provisions of Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT detailing a number of articles of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment amended and supplemented by Circular No. 25/2026/TT-BYT, health checks at the beginning of the school year are not carried out.
For learners in higher education institutions and vocational education institutions: Perform periodic health check-ups as prescribed in point d, clause 1, clause 2, Article 70 of Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP and Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT detailing a number of articles of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment amended and supplemented by Circular No. 25/2026/TT-BYT.
The Ministry of Health clearly states that educational institutions are responsible for organizing health checks at the beginning of the school year according to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 165/2026/ND-CP and conducting health checks at the beginning of the school year according to the provisions of this Circular;
At the same time, update health check data at the beginning of the school year to the Health Data Portal of the Ministry of Health according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health; Advise on transfer to appropriate medical examination and treatment facilities in case of detecting learners with abnormal health signs.
Regarding the source of funding for health check-ups at the beginning of the school year, it includes: Annual funding for medical, educational and training careers according to the current budget decentralization of units; funding from the Health Insurance Fund according to the provisions of law on health insurance; support from the Disease Prevention Fund.
In addition, there are sources of funding and support from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in accordance with the law and other legitimate sources of income.
