Ho Chi Minh City Accelerates National Health Check Program, Promoting Digital Health Management

Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating the progress of its 'National Health Check Program,' which has already seen over 730,000 citizens undergo examinations. A key distinction of this program is its aim to go beyond simply increasing the number of participants; it seeks to establish electronic health records for all citizens, enabling lifelong health management. This initiative prioritizes preventive healthcare over reactive treatment for illnesses, aiming to transition towards more comprehensive medical services by digitally managing individual health statuses on a unified platform. Dr. Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the City Department of Health, likens this program to the nationwide vaccination campaign during the pandemic, designating it as a major national endeavor to protect citizens' health throughout their lives. Currently, many citizens are actively participating. Beyond general health check-ups, they receive nutritional advice, risk factor assessments, and have their data updated in electronic health records. However, challenges remain due to uneven progress across different areas. Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Nguyen Manh Cuong, has sternly urged lagging districts to move beyond planning and expedite the implementation phase. The city categorizes this program as a shared responsibility for the entire political system, calling on leaders of People's Committees in each district to swiftly address delays and achieve targets. Technical barriers have also been eased following the Ministry of Health's circular, facilitating the use of specialized personnel and simplifying procedures. Financially, budget allocation for program implementation is progressing, with many districts completing their applications. The city is establishing a service delivery model that transcends administrative boundaries, encouraging the deployment of mobile health teams and the participation of all healthcare facilities, including central ministries, government agencies, and private hospitals. This aims to enhance convenience for citizens and ensure the smooth execution of the program. Furthermore, efforts are underway to strengthen the capacity of local health centers, provide home visits for the elderly and immobile, and develop tailored approaches for students and workers. A '150-day intensive campaign' is currently underway across the city, with many areas showing increased implementation pace. Factors contributing to this acceleration include strong leadership from local party committees and governments, collaboration with healthcare institutions, and proactive outreach by health centers to residents. The City Department of Health is committed to mobilizing all available resources, driving digital transformation, and closely coordinating with relevant units and local authorities to achieve the goal of completing health check-ups for all citizens by 2026. Source: Nhan Dan