More than 30.1 million Vietnamese receive free health check-ups

On the afternoon of July 23, the Ministry of Health held a nationwide online meeting on providing free periodic health check-ups and health screenings for the entire population. 

The meeting was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health. At the Dong Nai venue, Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, and Nguyen Van Binh, Deputy Director of the department, chaired the conference.

Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health Nguyen Van Binh reports on the results of the citywide free health screening program in Dong Nai. Photo by Hanh Dung.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of July 22, all 34 provinces and centrally governed cities nationwide had launched the free health check-up program for the public. More than 30.1 million people have received periodic health examinations, representing 29.6% of the national population. The total includes more than 2.3 million children under the age of six, over 8.1 million people aged 6–18, and more than 19.4 million adults aged 18 and above.

Alongside the health screening campaign, more than 3.8 million electronic health records have been created through the VNeID application, contributing to the gradual establishment of a nationwide digital health database. Several localities have achieved notable progress, recording high numbers of residents receiving health examinations, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Bac Ninh, Dong Thap, Dong Nai, Ca Mau, and Dien Bien. Meanwhile, provinces with relatively low participation include Quang Tri, Gia Lai, and Hue.

Despite encouraging progress, the nationwide rollout continues to face several challenges. The Ministry noted that implementation has been hindered by inconsistencies in policy guidance, with some regulations issued shortly before implementation, causing difficulties for local authorities. In addition, there is still no unified mechanism for financing free health check-ups or integrating the program with other health screening initiatives.

Resource shortages remain the most significant obstacle. Many provinces have reported shortages of doctors and healthcare workers, particularly at grassroots health facilities and in remote areas. Numerous commune-level health stations also lack adequate diagnostic equipment, while mobile medical units remain limited. At the same time, funding requirements are substantial, placing considerable pressure on local budgets.

Concluding the conference, Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan acknowledged the efforts made and the results achieved by local governments in recent years. He also emphasized that providing free periodic health examinations for the entire population is an important political task, and is not solely the responsibility of the health sector but that of the entire political system.

In the period ahead, the Ministry of Health will continue coordinating with relevant ministries, agencies, and units to refine policies and regulatory mechanisms, strengthen resources for grassroots healthcare, accelerate digital transformation, and further develop the electronic health record system. The Deputy Minister assigned the Department of Medical Services Administration to serve as the central coordinating body, finalize guidance documents, and address difficulties and obstacles faced by local authorities before July 27.

The Ministry also urged all localities to heighten their sense of responsibility and mobilize the participation of the entire political system, striving to ensure that every citizen receives at least one free periodic health examination or health screening by the end of 2026. Periodic health examinations must ensure quality, enable the detection of health risks, and support lifelong health management. Data entry must ensure that each citizen has a unique personal identification number and a single electronic health record to prevent duplication.

By Hanh Dung-Translated by Mai Nga, Minho