According to Decision No. 1675/QD-BYT recently issued by the Ministry of Health, the practice of periodic health check-ups for children under 6 years old will be standardized nationwide. The document focuses on requiring all children in this age group to receive a periodic medical examination at least once a year. Decision 1675/QD-BYT officially takes effect and replaces Decision 1284/QD-BYT (issued on May 7, 2026) to adjust professional content to better suit the practice of medical examination and treatment.
Context and Strategic Direction of Community Healthcare
The newly introduced regulations concerning children form part of a broader healthcare strategy previously approved by the Ministry of Health. This initiative is intended to progressively implement free periodic health examinations and screening programs for the population, ensuring that every citizen has access to at least one health check-up annually.
Under the Ministry’s guidance, periodic health examinations for children under six years of age are designed to extend beyond the assessment of basic physical indicators. These examinations are expected to incorporate comprehensive evaluations of nutritional status as well as early screening for developmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder and other conditions that may affect a child’s physical and cognitive development. To maximize accessibility and effectiveness, priority is given to the provision of these services through commune- and ward-level health stations with adequate professional capacity, mobile healthcare units, and duly accredited public and private healthcare facilities.
Objectives of Medical Data Digitization
According to the Ministry of Health, the implementation of mandatory annual health examinations is expected to generate substantial benefits at both the individual and systemic levels. From a clinical perspective, regular health assessments facilitate the early detection of abnormalities and potential health risks in children, enabling timely medical intervention and reducing the likelihood of serious complications and associated treatment costs in the future.
From a healthcare governance perspective, the results of each medical examination will serve as a fundamental source of information for the development of a comprehensive lifelong electronic health record system. These records will be integrated into the VNeID digital identification platform, thereby enhancing the transparency, continuity, and efficiency of medical record management. The integration of healthcare data into a unified digital ecosystem is also expected to strengthen coordination among healthcare providers and support evidence-based policymaking, ultimately contributing to the modernization and sustainability of the national healthcare system./.
Binh Nguyen