On 17/8, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, Tang Chi Thuong, reported that over 400,000 individuals received health check-ups, screenings, and data updates last week alone. Since the program's launch, 2,590,623 people have been examined, equivalent to nearly one-fifth of the city's population.

Health screenings help residents better understand their health status, detect early risk factors, and receive appropriate monitoring and care guidance. Results are updated in electronic health records for use in subsequent examinations.

Progress varies among wards, communes, and special zones. To date, 36 out of 168 localities have examined at least 30% of their population. Phuoc Thang leads with nearly 72%, followed by Con Dao, An Nhon Tay, and Thanh An, all exceeding 48%. Other localities have also surpassed 40%.

Last week, Thoi An recorded the highest number of examinations, over 9,000. Other wards also reported 7,000-8,500 examinations. Currently, no locality has an examination rate below 7%, but 12 wards and communes have not yet reached 10%.

According to Mr. Thuong, in addition to increasing the number of people examined, the city needs to ensure results are fully and accurately updated in electronic health records. Individuals who have undergone examinations or screenings at other medical facilities this year but lack data also need to be reviewed and added.

Residents receive free health check-ups at a health station in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran.

Residents receive free health check-ups at a health station in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran.

The two groups identified by the health sector for accelerated examinations in the coming period are students and workers. To date, approximately 516,000 students have been examined, reaching nearly 20% of the total student population. Meanwhile, over 336,000 workers have been examined, equivalent to about 5%.

The beginning of the academic year is when schools collaborate with the health sector to organize student health check-ups on campus. For workers, health check-ups can be conducted directly at agencies, businesses, and industrial parks, organized flexibly by shift or after hours to minimize work disruption. This approach also makes it easier for workers to participate, rather than having to arrange their own time to visit a medical facility.

According to Mr. Thuong, if schools, agencies, and businesses all participate, the progress of the city-wide health check-up program will accelerate in the final months of the year.

Ho Chi Minh City's city-wide health check-up program began on 25/5, aimed at helping residents proactively understand their health status, detect early disease risks, and receive monitoring guidance when needed. The city aims for 100% of its residents to receive health check-ups and have their electronic health records updated by 2026.

Le Phuong