According to a recent plan issued by the People's Committee, all residents aged 60 and above will receive annual health checkups funded by the city budget, starting now and continuing through 2025 and beyond. This program aims to detect non-communicable diseases early, contributing to the national goal of having at least 80% of senior citizens receive annual checkups and have health records established for monitoring and management.
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Blood tests during a free health checkup for seniors in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health |
Blood tests during a free health checkup for seniors in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health
Ho Chi Minh City began offering free health screenings to all senior residents (regardless of residency status) in early 2024, following a pilot program in several communes and wards in late 2023. Over two years, the health sector has examined over 526,000 individuals and detected previously undiagnosed hypertension in more than 49,000 people, representing 15% of those screened. Hypertension is considered a "silent killer," a leading cause of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure if left unmanaged.
Ho Chi Minh City currently has the fastest aging population in the country, with 10.5% of its residents over 60. Meanwhile, the birth rate is just 1.43, the lowest nationwide. The low birth rate combined with rapid aging is putting significant pressure on social security, healthcare, and welfare systems.
Le Phuong
