Vietnam targets free annual health check for all citizens

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said at a meeting Tuesday that the Politburo resolution on breakthroughs in public healthcare includes a policy of routine health checkups or screening based on medical professionals' recommendations.

The draft also sets targets for the 2025–30 period like having at least 1,000 doctors temporarily work at grassroots healthcare facilities annually and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for citizens to 30%. Each citizen will also have an electronic health record that will be managed over their lifetime.

By 2045 Vietnam aims to reach health indicators and essential healthcare service coverage levels comparable to those of developed countries.

The average life expectancy is projected to exceed 80 years, with more years lived in good health.

The average height of young people is also expected to approach that of their peers in developed nations.

But Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan admitted the healthcare system faces significant challenges, including rising incidence of non-communicable diseases and an aging population.

She highlighted persistent institutional, financial, and workforce-related barriers, limited capacity at grassroots healthcare facilities and a lack of self-control over drug and medical equipment supply.

"This resolution is expected to focus on those bottlenecks to create breakthroughs and address the issue of ... weak implementation [of policies]."

Speaking about the resolution, Prof Nguyen Anh Tri, a National Assembly deputy, proposed investing in specialized medical centers and training resident doctors to become expert physicians.

He also suggested encouraging the private sector to participate in delivering public healthcare services.

Prof Nguyen Van De, chairman of the Vietnam Private Hospitals Association, called for land and tax incentives to encourage businesses to invest in healthcare in remote areas.

"If there is a good policy, we are ready to build two more hospitals in mountainous areas."

Nguyen Huy Ngoc, deputy chairman of Phu Tho Province, pointed to two major issues: shortages of medical personnel and infrastructure and equipment.

He said the medical profession requires special policies beyond standard salary frameworks.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long emphasized the need for the draft to include actionable solutions and not just "vague goals."

He proposed incorporating health indicators into policy planning and clarifying aspects such as investment, infrastructure and salary and other benefits with clearly defined data.

At a government press conference on May 6, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said with a population of 100 million and an average cost of VND250,000 (US$9.56) per checkup, it would require VND25 trillion a year for the free annual checkups.

Regular health checks enable early detection and timely treatment of illnesses, which improves treatment outcomes and reduces the financial burden on patients, he added.

Earlier, at a meeting on April 8, Part General Secretary To Lam said healthcare is a national priority, with a particular focus on free hospital care for all citizens.

"The ultimate goal is to ensure that all citizens have a prosperous and happy life."