New regulations on health standards and medical examinations for military service candidates

Circular No. 105/2023/TT-BQP stipulates health standards and health examinations for subjects under the management of the Ministry of National Defense . The new point of this Circular is that people with astigmatism, if they meet other health standards, must still participate in military service. According to the working principle of the Military Service Health Examination Council, it works on the principle of collective work, deciding on issues by majority. In case the members of the Council do not agree on the health classification, the Chairman of the Council shall record the conclusion on the health form according to the majority opinion. In case of equal votes, the decision shall be made according to the vote of the Chairman of the Council. Disagreements must be fully recorded in the minutes, signed by each member of the Council.

Astigmatism, if other health standards are met, is still required to join military service.

Regarding the health examination content, physical examination; clinical examination according to specialties: Eyes, ENT, maxillofacial, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, surgery, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology for women. Paraclinical examination: Blood count; blood type (ABO); liver function (AST, ALT); kidney function (Ure, Creatinine); blood sugar; hepatitis B virus (HBsAg); hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV); HTV; complete urine (10 parameters); general abdominal ultrasound; electrocardiogram; chest X-ray; urine test for drugs. The Chairman of the Council will prescribe other tests according to professional requirements to conclude the health accurately.

The health examination process includes making a list of citizens for examination; notifying the time and place of the health examination (Issuing an order for health examination). Organizing health examinations according to the contents specified in Clause 5 of this Article and implementing in 2 rounds: Physical examination, clinical examination and paraclinical examination, HIV and drug screening. During the physical and clinical examination, if the citizen does not meet one of the health standards specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular, the Council member directly conducting the examination shall report to the Council Chairman for decision to stop the examination. Only conduct blood and urine tests; HIV and drug tests for citizens who meet health standards after physical examination, clinical examination, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray. Organize HIV counseling and testing according to the provisions of the law on HIV/AIDS prevention and control for cases that meet health standards; complete the Military Service Health Form according to the Form.

Doctors and nurses of the Military Medical Department (Logistics Department/General Department of Logistics) check the health of soldiers of the General Department. Photo: Contributor

The arrangement of examination rooms must follow the principle of one-way, closed, convenient for the examinee and ensure the minimum conditions for examination for each specialty: Physical, eye, ear, nose and throat, maxillofacial, internal medicine, neurology, psychiatry, surgery, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology (for women). Each specialty must arrange at least one room. Screening rooms for psychiatry, surgery, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology must ensure privacy, seriousness, and avoid noise. Order of health examination chain: Waiting area; registration; physical examination; pulse, blood pressure measurement; electrocardiogram; ultrasound; surgery; dermatology; eye; ear, nose and throat; maxillofacial; internal medicine; neurology; psychiatry; obstetrics and gynecology (if there are women); conclusion. Testing and X-ray must be arranged in separate areas but must ensure results before the Chairman of the Council concludes.

For localities with district-level general hospitals, the general hospital is responsible for implementing the contents specified in this Article. In case of acute illness, the illness may improve or worsen after a period of time or after treatment, the score must be accompanied by the letter "T" next to it, meaning "temporary". The examiner must summarize in Vietnamese the name of the illness, and the international noun can be written between two parentheses. When concluding, if the letter "T" in the indicator has the highest score, the letter "T" must be written in the health classification section. In case of doubt, the score has not been given or the conclusion has not been reached, the Military Service Health Examination Council shall send the citizen to a specialist examination at another medical facility for an accurate conclusion. The maximum time for a conclusion is 10 days and shall only be carried out when necessary; In cases where the health card has the letter "T", the Military Service Health Examination Council shall be responsible for guiding the citizen to a medical facility for treatment.

In case a citizen has an unclassified illness, the Health Examination Council shall fully and comprehensively assess the function of the diseased organ, the extent of its impact on the ability to train in the military, work, and live, and predict the progression of the illness or disability to conclude the health classification. The Provincial Medical Examination Council shall assess the health of citizens called up for military service or reserve soldiers upon the request of the District Military Service Council.

Cong Dao