On 10/12, the National Assembly passed the Law on Disease Prevention, introducing policies to develop human resources for preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition. This comprehensive legislation aims to bolster the nation's public health infrastructure by investing in education and personnel.

The new law extends financial assistance beyond public institutions. Postgraduate students attending private educational institutions in these fields will also receive state tuition support at an equivalent level. This broad approach ensures wider access to specialized training.

Furthermore, the law mandates incentive scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students in preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition at public universities who achieve good academic and training results. These scholarships aim to attract top talent to critical health sectors.

Individuals working at communal health stations or preventive medicine facilities in border areas, islands, ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and areas with difficult or extremely difficult socioeconomic conditions will also receive scholarships if they pursue postgraduate studies in preventive medicine, public health, or nutrition. This policy targets underserved regions, strengthening healthcare where it is most needed.

The law encourages organizations and individuals to provide scholarships and grants for students in these fields. Concurrently, it stipulates that the State will implement policies to attract, recruit, incentivize, deploy, and utilize personnel working in disease prevention, particularly in border areas, islands, ethnic minority and mountainous regions, and difficult areas. Health workers directly involved in professional work at communal health stations and preventive medicine facilities will receive special, enhanced preferential policies, acknowledging their vital role.

Doctors and medical staff treat patients in the intensive care unit at Military Hospital 175, 11/2025. Photo: Quynh Tran

The Law on Disease Prevention also mandates the establishment of a Disease Prevention Fund, a state financial fund operating outside the budget and directly under the Ministry of Health, structured as a public service unit. This fund will be formed from charter capital supported by the state budget, the transfer of all surplus funds from the Tobacco Harm Prevention and Control Fund, a compulsory 2% contribution based on the special consumption tax price from tobacco manufacturers and importers, along with other contributions, sponsorships, and non-refundable aid. This dedicated fund provides a sustainable financial mechanism for long-term prevention efforts.

The Disease Prevention Fund will be utilized for various activities: tobacco harm prevention and control; regular health check-ups and free screenings for citizens; prevention and control of non-communicable diseases; prevention and control of mental disorders; preventive nutrition; and the application of science, technology, innovation, and international cooperation in disease prevention. Its broad scope covers key areas of public health.

Regarding infectious diseases, the law classifies them into Group A (especially dangerous diseases), Group B (dangerous diseases), Group C (less dangerous diseases), and other groups. Individuals with Group A infectious diseases and certain Group B diseases must undergo mandatory medical isolation at home, medical facilities, or designated locations. Non-compliance will result in forced isolation, emphasizing public safety.

For non-communicable diseases and mental disorders, the law stipulates that citizens are entitled to free annual health check-ups and screenings, at least once a year, according to priority groups and schedules. Businesses will cover the costs of regular health check-ups for their employees, while the state budget, the Health Insurance Fund, and the Disease Prevention Fund will cover costs as regulated. This ensures comprehensive health monitoring across the population.

The Law on Disease Prevention will take effect from 1/7/2026.

Vu Tuan