Free Periodic Health Screenings and Challenges in An Giang Province
In An Giang province, free health screenings reaching 42.41% of the population are working to overcome staff shortages, infrastructure inadequacies, and slow data updates.
Free periodic health checks and screenings initiated for all citizens in An Giang province have reached 42.41% of the population. New guidelines are being implemented to overcome obstacles such as personnel shortages, inadequate technological infrastructure, and slow data updates.
Current Status of Health Screenings
According to Ministry of Health data, as of October 1, over 1.5 million people across An Giang have undergone routine health checks. This figure corresponds to 42.41% of the total eligible population.
Especially in the last week of September, accelerated health checks were organized for students. While the 6-18 age group reached 57.8% of the plan, this rate was 31.67% for the group over 18.
Personnel and Infrastructure Shortages
The biggest challenges across the province are in human resources and professional conditions. Many health centers lack full-time doctors and clinical equipment remains insufficient.
While about 36% of the planned individuals were reached at the health station in Binh Duc ward, the fact that medical staff have to perform multiple tasks simultaneously slows down the process.
Data Update and Technology Issues
New electronic health records have been updated for 585,362 people, corresponding to 15.82% of the plan. The discrepancy between the number of examined individuals and the number of records indicates the slowness of the data process.
Unstable information technology infrastructure, congestion in the data portal and the VNeID system during peak hours, and inconsistencies in identity card information lead to additional time loss.
New Guidelines and Flexibility Measures
The Ministry of Health issued a new guideline at the beginning of October to reduce the pressure on local facilities. Accordingly, clinical tests and paraclinical procedures will be performed only with a doctor's prescription.
Current health results that are still valid will not be repeated; mobile examinations and doctor support will be provided by central facilities for stations lacking specialized personnel.
Future Goals and Coordination
Thanks to the integration of routine checks with examinations under health insurance, it is estimated that the total number of people accessing health services will reach 83.6% of the population in 2026.
The An Giang Department of Health continues coordination with local authorities to ensure the participation of the entire political system to resolve deficiencies in information technology, human resources, and facilities.