Laying the foundation for a nationwide health management system
Providing free annual health check-ups or health screening at least once a year is gradually laying the foundation for a nationwide health management system.
Driving digital transformation
Based on policies set by the Party and the government, the Ministry of Health has identified free annual health check-ups or health screening as a strategic task aimed at improving population health and reducing the long-term burden of disease.
A key requirement is that health examination results be standardized, digitized and integrated into electronic health records, forming the basis of a unified healthcare database to support population management and health policymaking.
Digital transformation has been identified as a key pillar of the nationwide health screening program. Under the ministry's plan, health examination data will be connected with the national health insurance assessment system, specialized healthcare databases and integrated into the VNeID.
Digitizing health data will not only enable continuous management of individuals' health records but also provide a foundation for disease surveillance, forecasting and health policymaking. With comprehensive data integration, the healthcare system will be able to detect disease trends at an early stage, identify high-risk groups and implement timely interventions at the primary healthcare level.
Strengthening the primary healthcare network
Experience from local implementation shows that the program's effectiveness depends largely on the coordinated involvement of local authorities and the primary healthcare network.
On June 3, the Hai Phong People's Committee issued Plan No. 201/KH-UBND on providing free annual health check-ups or health screening for residents across the city, replacing Plan No. 180/KH-UBND issued on May 15, 2026.
Under the plan, from 2026, residents with permanent household registration in Hai Phong will be entitled to at least one free health check-up or health screening each year. The policy aims to detect diseases and health risk factors at an early stage to enable timely consultation, management and treatment, while improving population health, quality of life and healthy life expectancy.
The program's success will depend largely on the role of local authorities in its implementation. Commune- and ward-level authorities are responsible for compiling beneficiary lists, arranging examination venues, conducting public awareness campaigns and coordinating examination schedules to ensure broad participation.
Public participation will also be essential. As people gain a better understanding of the benefits and importance of regular health check-ups, participation rates are expected to increase, improving the overall effectiveness of the program.
Integrating health check-ups with routine healthcare services, including immunization, health insurance-covered medical examinations and chronic disease management, will also expand access to healthcare services, reduce implementation costs and improve the efficient use of resources.
Overall, the program reflects a clear shift in Vietnam's healthcare system from a treatment-based model to one focused on proactive healthcare. Nationwide annual health check-ups are expected to lay the foundation for a continuous, data-driven health management system supported by digital technologies.
Hai Phong News