Ministry investigates rapid issuance of employment health certificates

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Administration under the Vietnamese Ministry of Health has sent an urgent inspection directive to Can Tho and Dong Thap provinces following allegations that certain private clinics in the Mekong Delta region issued pre-employment health certificates very quickly and superficially.

Ministry Issues Directive

The Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Administration sent an urgent document to the Health Departments of Can Tho City and Dong Thap Province, requesting the verification of allegations published in the press. According to news reports, it was determined that pre-employment health checks at some private multi-specialty clinics in the region were conducted in an extremely rapid and superficial manner.

Clinic Inspection in Can Tho

It was determined that a health check for workers at a clinic in Can Tho city cost 200,000 VND, and the examination took about 20 minutes by a single doctor consisting of blood pressure measurement, questions, and a dental check. However, despite this brief process, it was found that the health certificate contained signatures from nine different specialty areas.

Allegations of Irregularities in Dong Thap

At another clinic in Dong Thap, it was determined that examinations were conducted for 120,000 VND. It was reported that patients diagnosed with high blood pressure and abnormal heart rates were quickly prescribed medication, and shortly thereafter, certificates declaring them "healthy" or "very healthy" were issued.

Investigation and Process Details

With the directive signed by Vuong Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Administration, both local health departments were asked to investigate the allegations urgently. The relevant authorities were requested to handle violations in accordance with the law and report the investigation results by September 18, 2026.