Success and Waste Warning Issued in Free Public Health Screenings
Ministries and local governments faced warnings in the first year of large-scale free health checks. They were urged to avoid formalities and focus on the right target groups.
In an official dispatch signed by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, it was emphasized that the policy of large-scale free periodic health checks initiated for the general public must avoid chasing achievements and prevent waste.
Background of the Official Dispatch
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra signed the Prime Minister's official dispatch dated September 16, 2026, sharing information on the implementation of the Prime Minister's Directive regarding free public health checks.
Inconsistencies in Implementation
It was stated that implementation progress varied among regions, and there were certain inconsistencies and risks of duplication in routine health checks and screenings.
Limitations in Data Integration
Various limitations were noted regarding the integration and updating of data related to the national population database in the Electronic Health Book and VNeID.
First Year Emphasis and Warnings
Emphasizing that 2026 is the first year of implementing the large-scale free periodic health check policy for the general public, it was requested that the program be concise and avoid formalities.
Priority Target Groups
It was emphasized that focus should be placed on priority groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, poor households, individuals with chronic illnesses, and ethnic minorities living in difficult conditions.
Inter-Institutional Task Distribution
Concrete tasks were assigned to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Training, and Vietnam Social Security.