A series of private clinics in the Mekong Delta issuing health certificates for job applications according to the "super-fast" process have just been reported by Lao Dong Newspaper, showing worrying abnormal signs.
At a clinic in Can Tho city, the examined person was only measured blood pressure, checked orally and briefly asked about their health condition by a doctor.
However, the health certificate returned after about 20 minutes had up to 9 signatures in different specialized sections, along with the conclusion "healthy enough for work and study".
At a clinic in Dong Thap, when the examiner had an abnormally high heart rate and blood pressure, instead of continuing to monitor, perform the necessary check-up steps or request in-depth examination, medical staff prescribed medication.
After the indicators were brought back to a stable level, the file continued to be completed with the conclusion "healthy enough".
The most worrying thing is not that the examination time only lasts 20 minutes or an hour, but that the results seem to have been predetermined.
Workers come to the clinic, just pay money and then receive a certificate of eligibility to complete the job application.
When necessary examination steps are skipped, health check-up activities are being turned into a service of selling confirmation papers.
It is also necessary to share the psychology of wanting to quickly complete the dossiers of workers, especially those who need jobs to have income to cover living expenses, but that urgency cannot become a reason for the clinic to cut professional procedures, as well as legalize results with the signatures of people who do not directly examine.
Health checks for job applications are not a procedure just for show or to make it difficult for workers. The most important purpose of health checks is to assess physical condition, detect disease risks and determine whether workers are suitable for the expected job.
Health check results are also a basis for businesses to arrange work, ensure labor safety and monitor the health of employees.
For example, a cardiovascular abnormality if covered up by medication to achieve "beautiful" results can put the worker in danger.
The risk is even greater if these workers work in heights, operate machinery, drive, work night shifts or perform heavy work.
At that time, a health certificate easily issued today may become the source of tomorrow's accident.
After the reflection of Lao Dong Newspaper, management agencies need to conduct surprise inspections of related clinics.
The inspection should not only stop at licenses or archived records, but must compare the doctor's work schedule, the data of the examinee, the implementation time of each step, the number of papers issued each day and the responsibility of each person signing the confirmation.
If there is a situation where doctors sign when not directly examining, personal responsibility must be handled, not just general clinic penalties.
The doctor's signature is a guarantee of expertise, professional ethics and legal responsibility, and cannot become part of the dossier completion chain.
Recruiting businesses also need to actually check health certificates, especially for positions directly related to safety.
At the same time, examination procedures must be organized conveniently and at appropriate costs so that workers do not have to resort to fast but unreliable services.
We cannot let health certificates become a commodity that can be bought quickly and sold neatly.
Rectifying this activity is not only aimed at ensuring discipline in medical practice, but first of all protecting the health and lives of workers and safety at the workplace.
