Ho Chi Minh City is ready to provide health check-ups for over 15 million people.

The program to provide health check-ups for over 15 million people in 2026 and the plan to reach 2030 demonstrate Ho Chi Minh City's determination to shift from "treating diseases" to "providing healthcare" for all citizens. The city's health sector has prepared the most appropriate solutions to standardize and systematize all health check-up activities in the area.

Another large-scale health checkup

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health , following the recent health screening campaign in response to the National Health Day organized by the city's health sector, on April 17th, the city will continue to implement a larger-scale health check-up for the people, held simultaneously at 168 ward, commune, and special zone health stations.

Doctors from Cho Ray Hospital conduct health checkups for local residents.

Participating in this campaign are medical staff from 101 public and private hospitals, including: 6 hospitals under ministries and sectors; 69 general and specialized hospitals of the city; and 26 private hospitals.

According to the assignment, central-level hospitals and ministries/departments will be responsible for screening key diseases such as cardiovascular, endocrine, oncology, musculoskeletal, dental, and occupational diseases; specialized hospitals in the city will implement specialized screening in each field such as obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, oncology, psychiatry, etc.; the city's general hospital system and regional general hospitals will focus on examining, detecting, and managing chronic non-communicable diseases and common internal medicine diseases.

Private hospitals and regional health centers are also participating, contributing to expanding coverage and increasing access to services for the people. Notably, during this campaign, cervical cancer screening for self-employed women and female factory workers will be prioritized in 16 wards and communes.

“This health check-up not only provides people with access to multidisciplinary services right where they live, but also focuses on groups that need more attention such as the elderly, people with chronic diseases, self-employed workers, vulnerable groups, and high-risk groups, helping people detect diseases early and manage their health continuously in the community,” Associate Professor, Doctor Tang Chi Thuong informed.

The city's health sector has identified health checkups for 15 million people by 2026 as the starting point of a new approach to public health care – where each citizen receives lifelong health management, and the health system proactively takes a step ahead to protect, care for, and improve community health.

Associate Professor, Doctor Tang Chi Thuong

Comprehensive lifecycle management

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the results of examinations and screenings are updated and linked to electronic health records, ensuring that the data is "accurate, complete, clean, and relevant," serving the long-term health management of the people. After the examinations, health stations will receive the results, classify them, and create lists to manage people according to risk groups; at the same time, they will organize follow-up, invite re-examinations, or refer people to higher-level facilities when necessary, ensuring the principles of early detection - early intervention - continuous management.

People receive health check-ups at the Duc Nhuan Ward Health Station, Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, in order to achieve the goal of providing health check-ups for over 15 million people in 2026 and the plan until 2030, the city's health sector prioritizes intervention groups that are cost-effective, have a high disease burden, are appropriate for primary healthcare facilities, and have the potential for expansion in 2026.

In the immediate future, especially in 2026, the focus will be on finalizing professional regulations, financial mechanisms, implementing basic health check-up packages, and building electronic health records. By 2027, a network of participating facilities will be established based on a non-geographical model, fully covering all levels and densely populated areas, industrial zones, export processing zones, schools, welfare facilities, etc.

By 2028, stably implement evidence-based and scalable screening programs for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular risk, cervical cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis, targeting specific groups. By 2030, move towards an automated, electronic coordination system, proactively inviting citizens to participate in screenings and examinations based on digital platforms.

Focus on high-risk disease groups.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health will conduct widespread screenings for disease groups such as: hypertension and diabetes (high-risk group, people over 40 years old), cervical cancer (women aged 30-65, 5-year cycle), and priority diseases according to target groups and campaigns including: breast and colorectal cancer (people aged 50-70, FIT test, mammography), tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C (high-risk areas, groups prone to being overlooked); mental health, eyes, and oral health…

The city's health sector will build a nationwide health data system based on the principle of "one citizen - one identification code - one health record - one service usage history." The model will operate on an integrated public-private partnership model, allowing citizens to access services at various facilities while ensuring unified management of rights and data, enhancing transparency, optimizing healthcare resources, and avoiding duplication and waste. "The health check-up program targets all citizens living, studying, and working in Ho Chi Minh City," Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung informed.

* Dr. Diep Bao Tuan

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital:

Early screening to reduce risk.

Currently, common cancers in men include liver, lung, stomach, colorectal, and prostate cancer; and in women, breast, lung, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer. Cancer screening aims to detect abnormal cells and cancerous cells early, before symptoms appear. The goal is early detection, more effective treatment, and reduced mortality rates.

Regarding high-risk screening groups, these include: personal and family history, gene mutations, exposure to factors such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, blood clots, and older age. Currently, all women are at risk of breast cancer; the risk increases with age and additional risk factors such as genetics, medical history, and lifestyle are present. Meanwhile, the role of ultrasound in breast cancer screening is crucial; it can be performed at primary healthcare facilities at low cost, is easy to implement, painless, X-ray-free, and increases screening participation rates.

* Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet

Director of Hung Vuong Hospital:

Protecting future generations of women.

Cervical cancer is a public health problem. The consequences of this disease are severe if not detected and treated promptly; treatment costs are high, especially in the late stages, potentially reaching up to 1 billion VND per case… Cervical cancer screening is also a key factor in early detection and effective treatment. Early detection saves many women's lives and reduces treatment costs.

With determination and existing resources, Ho Chi Minh City can absolutely lead the country in achieving the World Health Organization's 90-70-90 target (90% of girls vaccinated against HPV before age 15; 70% of women screened (aged 30-65); 90% of patients receiving effective treatment), aiming to eliminate cervical cancer and protect future generations of women.

THANH AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tphcm-san-ready-to-examine-health-for-over-15-million-people-post847896.html