The policy is part of the draft Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Party Central Committee that outlines several breakthrough mechanisms and policies aimed at strengthening the protection, care, and improvement of public health.

Presenting the document at the ongoing year-end session of the National Assembly in Hanoi on November 17, Minister Lan said periodic health examinations will be integrated with free screening programmes, health assessments for students, occupational health check-ups for workers, and medical examinations covered by health insurance. This coordinated approach is intended to support the full development of electronic health records for the entire population.

Funding for this policy will be sourced from multiple channels. Businesses will cover the cost of annual health check-ups for their employees, while the State budget will prioritise support for specific groups with an estimated annual cost of around VND6,000 billion, with potential adjustments based on fiscal capacity.

Free medical screening will be financed through the National Target Programme on Health care, Population, and Development for the 2026–2035 period.

In the draft Resolution, the Government also proposed gradually implementing basic hospital fee exemptions within the benefits covered by health insurance, in line with the country’s socioe-conomic conditions. Beginning in 2027, the policy aims for individuals from near-poor households and people aged 75 and above who receive social pension allowances to be covered for 100% of medical expenses within the health insurance benefit package. The financial impact on the Health Insurance Fund is estimated to range from VND455 billion to over VND2,738 billion.

In addition, the Government suggested that the National Assembly allow pilot programmes to diversify health insurance packages, including supplemental plans to meet the varied needs of the population. This represents a new policy direction not yet included in the Health Insurance Law and therefore requires legal authorisation from the National Assembly, said the Minister of Health

Regarding salaries and allowances for healthcare personnel, the draft proposes allocating full financial support for those who work regularly and directly in medical roles at commune-level health stations and preventive health facilities in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, economically disadvantaged regions, border areas, islands, and in specialised fields including mental health, forensic medicine, psychiatric forensics, emergency care, and pathology. Implementing these measures is expected to require more than VND4,481 billion from the State budget.

To strengthen the foundational healthcare system, the Government recommended ensuring full State budget coverage for recurrent expenditures and investment in primary healthcare and preventive medicine, regardless of each unit’s financial autonomy. Investment needs for primary healthcare are projected to reach approximately VND52,500 - 43,000 billion from 2026 to 2030 and VND9,500 billion from 2031 to 2035, while preventive medicine will require VND28,700 billion for the two given periods.

The National Assembly is scheduled to hold a plenary discussion on the draft Resolution on December 2, and is expected to vote on its adoption on December 11.

Vietnam emphasises disease prevention in public health care strategy

VOV.VN - A Vietnamese official has affirmed that disease prevention is the top priority in its national health care strategy, aiming to effectively respond to emerging infectious diseases and improve public health.