Addressing the National Assembly during a socio-economic discussion on the morning of april 21, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang acknowledged the concerns of delegates and voters regarding the complex issue of unsafe food in recent times.

He stated that the Party, the State, and the entire political system are actively combating food safety violations. The Government directs ministries, agencies, and localities to intensify inspections, strictly penalize wrongdoings, and considers this a regular, ongoing task.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, authorities inspect over 300,000 food production and business establishments annually, uncovering and addressing numerous violations. The Ministry of Public Security has launched many special investigations, from central to local levels, to dismantle networks involved in violations, including several criminal cases.

In addition to increased inspections, the Government is directing the Ministry of Health to finalize the amended Law on Food Safety, which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly in october. Food safety management is currently overseen by multiple ministries and agencies, leading to overlaps and gaps in control. Therefore, the Government is developing a plan to establish a unified management agency for this sector to centralize oversight, overcome fragmentation, and enhance the effectiveness of management, inspection, and enforcement.

The Government also aims to protect legitimate businesses from counterfeit and substandard food products. "We urge citizens and businesses to participate in detecting and combating substandard food on the market", he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang addresses delegate opinions on april 21 morning. Photo: Hoang Phong

Focus on nuclear power and AI talent training

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that a continuous goal for the education sector during this term is to train high-quality human resources for key industries and high technology. With a new growth model centered on science, technology, and innovation, enhancing high-quality human resources is essential.

Currently, the education sector offers 102 strategic technology and key technical training programs, and the Ministry of Education and Training has approved 89 talent development programs. Moving forward, the Government will continue to prioritize key areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductor microchips, and nuclear power.

The Government has also approved a project for the 2025-2035 period, with a vision to 2045, aiming to establish English as a second language. This initiative will contribute to the comprehensive development of Vietnamese people and deeper international integration. The Ministry of Education and Training, along with localities, are rapidly implementing this. The Government will continue to monitor, support, and provide close, regular guidance to achieve the set objectives.

Prioritizing nutrition and physical development for children under 6

Regarding the health sector, the Deputy Prime Minister provided information on the plan to organize periodic health check-ups for citizens, in accordance with Resolution 72 of the Politburo. Following the resolution's approval, the Government proactively submitted the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2025 to the National Assembly for passage.

The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Health to issue guidelines for periodic health check-ups tailored to different groups. For instance, children under 6 will focus on monitoring physical development and nutrition. Students will undergo clinical examinations and risk factor screening. Adults will have subclinical tests to detect diseases early, especially non-communicable ones.

Funding for these initiatives will come from the state budget, health insurance funds, and other legal capital sources. For groups not yet covered by health insurance, localities will proactively develop plans and allocate funds to organize free screening examinations.

The implementation of periodic health check-ups is progressing according to a roadmap, contributing to early detection and improved healthcare quality for citizens. The Government is directing the Ministry of Health to promptly issue a decree to provide a legal basis for localities to carry out these plans.

Son Ha