Vietnam to implement nationwide school health screenings

The Vietnam Ministry of Health has issued Circular 34/2026/TT-BYT, outlining a national program for health care, population, and development for the 2026–2035 period. Under this directive, all students from preschool through high school nationwide will undergo health check-ups starting in 2026.

By 2028, the program will expand to include specialized screening, detection, and treatment counseling for five specific categories of school-related health issues: overweight and obesity, refractive errors, scoliosis, oral diseases, and mental health disorders. To ensure efficiency, these screenings may be integrated into beginning-of-year check-ups or regular periodic health examinations.

At the central level, the Department of Disease Control will lead the implementation in coordination with the Department of Medical Service Administration. Locally, provincial and municipal People's Committees are responsible for directing relevant agencies to organize these screenings and provide necessary medical consultations and referrals.