The draft Law on Disease Prevention proposes many policies for primary healthcare for the people.

The draft Law on Disease Prevention adds a separate chapter on preventing and combating mental health disorders; expands the subjects exempted from expanded vaccination fees

Representatives from the Ministry of Health provided information to the press.

The enactment of a Law on Disease Prevention with a comprehensive scope covering disease prevention is absolutely necessary given that Vietnam is facing a double burden from both infectious diseases and the alarming increase in non-communicable diseases, mental health disorders, and poor nutrition.

During a press briefing on the morning of November 7th, Mr. Pham Duc Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health , stated that the Law on Disease Prevention will fully and comprehensively institutionalize the Party and State's guidelines and policies on disease prevention, shifting strongly from a mindset focused on "examination and treatment" to "proactive disease prevention," "preventing disease early, remotely, and at the grassroots level," and emphasizing the protection, care, and improvement of overall health continuously throughout the life cycle.

The draft Law on Disease Prevention stipulates regulations on the prevention and control of infectious diseases; the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, mental health disorders, and other risk factors; nutrition in disease prevention; and the conditions ensuring disease prevention. The law applies to domestic and foreign agencies, organizations, and individuals in Vietnam.

Mr. Pham Duc Manh, Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, shared the information.

New developments in mental health care.

A new addition to the draft Law is the provision on the prevention and control of mental health disorders. The Law stipulates risk factors, early detection, and preventive measures for mental health disorders; and the rights and responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals in the prevention and control of mental health disorders.

The law includes three levels of prevention: comprehensive prevention, selective prevention, and designated prevention, reflecting a multi-tiered and scientific approach to community mental health. The Minister of Health will be responsible for specifying the details of professional measures in the areas of early detection, monitoring, and intervention.

According to Mr. Pham Duc Manh, the new point of the draft is the clear definition of the rights and responsibilities of individuals, organizations, families, and local authorities in the prevention and control of mental health disorders.

Individuals at risk of or already suffering from mental health disorders have the right to regular screening, access to counseling and treatment services, and to avoid stigma and discrimination. They also have a responsibility to cooperate with health authorities and local governments in monitoring, treatment, and rehabilitation.

The draft also specifies penalties for fraudulent acts, such as feigning mental illness for personal gain or to evade legal obligations, in order to prevent the exploitation of humanitarian policies. The law also assigns responsibility to social assistance facilities for organizing care, counseling, and psychological rehabilitation services.

Simultaneously, conduct communication campaigns to raise public awareness about mental health. Provide regular health check-ups and preventive measures against non-communicable diseases.

"According to the draft law, people at high risk of developing mental disorders will be screened for early detection, monitored, and treated appropriately to prevent the disorder from progressing into a more serious illness," Mr. Mạnh said.

Expand the scope of vaccine use and the target population for vaccination.

According to a representative from the National Vaccination Center, a new development in the field of immunization is that the new law expands the scope of vaccine and biological product use and includes additional high-risk groups such as the elderly, those working in epidemic control, and the armed forces. "This expansion aims towards lifelong immunization for the population," the representative from the Department of Disease Prevention stated.

Regarding nutrition in disease prevention, the draft Law stipulates the principles for implementing nutrition in disease prevention, emphasizing that it must be implemented throughout the life cycle, with a focus on nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy to children under 24 months of age (this is the golden period that determines the physical strength and stature of children due to nutritional factors).

At the same time, the Law specifies nutritional guidelines for certain groups (pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children under 24 months old; children, school-aged children, workers and the elderly).

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Disease Prevention Pham Duc Manh, the draft Law on Disease Prevention contains clearer regulations on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Accordingly, it stipulates measures for disease prevention and control, risk factors for disease; early detection, prevention, and management of disease in the community.

The Law on Disease Prevention is expected to include provisions on periodic health check-ups and screenings to institutionalize Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo: "citizens are entitled to free periodic health check-ups or screenings at least once a year starting from 2026".

Representatives from the Department of Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health, stated that the enactment of the Law will not create any new personnel structures. However, there is currently a shortage of human resources in this field. Therefore, for the law to be effectively implemented, regulations are needed regarding research, application of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation in disease prevention; training and development of human resources; funding for disease prevention; benefits for those working in infectious disease prevention and control; and a Disease Prevention Fund to create a sustainable financial source for disease prevention activities.

The draft Law on Disease Prevention is currently being submitted to the 15th National Assembly for consideration and approval at its 10th session.

The draft Law on Disease Prevention consists of 6 chapters and 41 articles, designed based on 5 major policy groups already approved by the Government, including: Prevention and control of infectious diseases; prevention and control of non-communicable diseases; prevention and control of mental health disorders; nutrition in disease prevention; and conditions ensuring disease prevention.

THIEN LAM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/du-thao-luat-phong-benh-de-xuat-nhieu-chinh-sach-cham-soc-suc-khoe-ban-dau-cho-nguoi-dan-post921372.html