Over 1,000 Workers in Can Tho Receive Free Health Screenings and Care

In Can Tho City, Vietnam, a program titled "Workers' Health Day - For a Healthy Vietnam 2026" was organized, providing over 1,000 workers and laborers with free health check-ups, consultations, and medical care. The initiative was a collaboration between the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, the Can Tho Department of Health, the Can Tho Labor Confederation, and other relevant entities. Beyond general health examinations, workers had access to specialized services including cancer screening, nutritional counseling, reproductive health advice, specialist consultations, clinical tests, and free medication. The program prioritized workers facing financial difficulties, female laborers, migrant workers, and those employed in environments with risks of occupational diseases or non-communicable diseases. Additionally, 100 gifts were presented to workers affected by illness, work accidents, or those in particularly difficult circumstances. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Thai Thu Xuong, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, stated that the program aims to concretize Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo and Directive No. 17 of the Prime Minister on public health care. She highlighted it as a practical activity for caring for and protecting union members and laborers, contributing to improving human resource quality and labor productivity through enhanced screening and early disease detection. Ms. Xuong outlined three core objectives: raising awareness about disease prevention over treatment and promoting healthy lifestyles; placing worker health at the center of the development process; and mobilizing the participation of the political system, businesses, and employers in worker health care. She emphasized that this program is a pilot for a long-term mechanism where social insurance and the state budget will gradually cover general health check-ups for laborers, with the ultimate goal of all Vietnamese citizens, including workers, receiving free periodic health examinations, requiring further resource mobilization from businesses and employers. Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Administration of Medical Examination and Treatment (Ministry of Health) and President of the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, noted that workers, while direct contributors to economic development, often face health risks due to working conditions and livelihood pressures. He affirmed the health sector's commitment to bringing healthcare services closer to laborers, especially in industrial zones. Dr. Duc also mentioned the program's provision of specialized services like screening for lung, breast, and cervical cancers for female workers, adding that the Vietnam Young Physicians Association will continue to expand this model nationwide. A key highlight of the event was the establishment of "Health Exchange Stations" focusing on respiratory, skin, and bone and joint health. Specialists directly examined and advised on common health issues prevalent among laborers, such as respiratory diseases, joint pain, premature skin aging, and urinary stones, often stemming from high-intensity labor, hazardous work environments, and limited access to periodic health care. Through this program, organizers hope to enhance workers' awareness of proactive health management and gradually build a sustainable mechanism for periodic health check-ups, thereby contributing to social security and improving the quality of human resources for local socio-economic development. Source: Nhan Dan