Vietnam Ministry of Health mandates free annual checkups for children under 6

The Ministry of Health has issued professional guidelines for periodic health checkups for children under six years old across Vietnam. Under this new policy, children will receive at least one free health examination per year to facilitate the early detection of diseases and developmental disorders.

Each examination will provide a comprehensive assessment, including physical health, nutrition, mental development, motor skills, and vaccination status. Medical staff will monitor vital signs, weight, and height, while doctors perform detailed checks on the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, dental health, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, neurological, and reproductive systems. Notably, the screenings will include assessments for autism spectrum disorder risks and other developmental abnormalities.

To ensure continuity of care, the Ministry requires medical facilities to use standardized forms and update results into electronic health records. This data will be integrated with the national medical examination and treatment management system, the national health database, health insurance assessment systems, and the VNeID application. This digital integration allows for the creation of continuous health profiles to track a child's growth over time.

Checkups may be conducted at local commune or ward health stations, mobile clinics, or through partnerships with qualified public and private medical facilities.