Nghe An implements nationwide health check-ups: Preventing disease early and remotely.

Changing the mindset about healthcare

Observations in various localities these days show that preparations for the May 16th health check-up are underway with great urgency. In Minh Chau commune, chosen as the provincial-level launch point, the local public address system continuously broadcasts information about the time, location, and benefits for residents participating in the check-up. Village health workers and youth union members are implementing the motto "going to every alley, knocking on every door, checking every individual" to ensure that no one is left out, especially those who have not visited a health facility for check-ups in the past three years.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh (68 years old, residing in Minh Chau commune) shared his experience after receiving an appointment slip from a healthcare worker: “Normally, when I feel healthy, I just stay home and work, avoiding the expense of going to a distant hospital. Now, hearing that doctors from provincial and central hospitals are coming to the commune to provide free check-ups and advice on preventing diabetes and high blood pressure, my wife and I have arranged our schedules to go for the check-up as scheduled. This is truly a very practical act of care for us elderly people.”

In preparation for the campaign, over the past few days, under the early summer sun, staff from the Dong Van Health Station in Tien Dong commune have persistently traversed hills and traveled long distances, coordinating with local health stations to cross-reference vaccination data, electronic health records, and lists for screening for non-communicable diseases. The review prioritizes the elderly, impoverished households, children, and families in difficult circumstances to develop appropriate health check-up, consultation, and management plans at the grassroots level.

Dr. Nguyen Van An, Head of Dong Van Health Station, shared: “Many people in remote areas have limited opportunities for regular check-ups, so we have to go to their homes to encourage and explain to them the benefits of early check-ups. There are elderly people who haven't had their blood pressure measured or blood sugar checked in years. Therefore, this campaign is not only a professional activity but also an opportunity to change health care awareness in the community.”

In the context of a strong shift in disease patterns towards non-communicable diseases, late detection is becoming a "silent killer" eroding the health and finances of many families. In fact, at provincial hospitals, the majority of patients with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases only seek treatment when their condition is already in an advanced stage. This not only reduces treatment opportunities but also places significant pressure on the healthcare system.

Given that situation,Plan No. 2075/KH-SYT dated May 4, 2026, of the Nghe An Department of Health.This campaign is seen as a solution to the problem of preventive healthcare. It identifies each citizen as the central subject, responsible for proactively protecting their own health and that of the community. The goal goes beyond mere statistics, aiming to build a "health culture"—where people proactively seek regular check-ups instead of only going to the hospital when they are already sick.

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This campaign concretizes the spirit of Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on protecting and caring for people's health in the new situation. We are not just organizing one round of examinations and then stopping; our highest goal is to gradually build a disease map of the province. From the collected data, the health sector will have timely and effective intervention solutions, reducing the burden of healthcare costs for people and society in the long term.

Dr. Le Thi Hoai Chung, MD, Specialist Level II - Director of the Nghe An Department of Health

To provide maximum support to local healthcare facilities, the Department of Health has assigned major hospitals such as Nghe An Friendship General Hospital, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, and Nghe An Oncology Hospital to be in charge of key examination points. Experienced medical teams, along with ultrasound machines, electrocardiographs, and mobile testing equipment, will be sent to the communes to provide direct support to local healthcare.

Digitalization for sustainable health management

Unlike many previous community health check-up programs, the biggest difference of the 2026 campaign is its systematic nature and deep integration of digital technology. All health check-up data of citizens will be updated to the Vietnam Social Security Data Reception Portal and integrated into the Electronic Health Book on the VNeID application.

This means each citizen will have a personal "digital medical record," stored throughout their healthcare journey. Through this data, doctors at all levels can access medical history, test results, and treatment progress to provide more appropriate and accurate care.

Dr. Nguyen Van Thuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, stated: “We require all units to complete the data update immediately after each examination. This is a key task aimed at enriching the national electronic health record database. Technology not only helps manage the population but also enables the health sector to continuously monitor the health status of each individual, thereby shifting from a passive model of medical examination and treatment to a proactive and comprehensive health management model.”

To support people's access to technology, youth union members from the health sector will be stationed at examination points to guide people in installing and activating the VNeID application. The combination of medical expertise and digital transformation is creating a more modern and scientific examination process. At the examination points, the process is arranged in a one-way flow, from reception and vital signs measurement to specialist examination, consultation, and electronic data entry, helping to reduce waiting times for people.

In terms of funding, the campaign was implemented based on the mobilization of multiple resources: the Health Insurance Fund covered services included in the list, the state budget provided support, and especially social contributions from charitable organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Looking at the broader picture, the 2026 nationwide health check-up campaign in Nghe An not only has medical significance but also profound humanitarian and economic value. When people are healthy, the quality of the population improves, labor productivity increases, and the burden on social welfare is reduced. This is also an important prerequisite for Nghe An to move towards a digital-based community health management model, contributing to the realization of the goal of universal health care coverage.

Minh Quan