Vietnam’s Ministry of Health plans a comprehensive, phased approach to screening five key health conditions among students nationwide, aiming for early detection and better treatment pathways from 2028.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has set out a phased plan to expand school health monitoring nationwide, with targeted screening for five groups of conditions due to begin in 2028 for all children from kindergarten through the end of upper secondary school. According to VietnamPlus, the measure is part of Circular 34/2026/TT-BYT, which guides implementation of the national health-care, population and development programme for 2026-2035. The ministry says the aim is to detect problems earlier and direct pupils to treatment where needed.
From 2026, schools will begin carrying out general health checks under the ministry’s rules, allowing local authorities and schools to track pupils’ health status and organise follow-up care. The later screening stage is intended to build on those initial checks rather than replace them, with the ministry saying the process can be carried out as part of existing back-to-school examinations, health assessments or routine check-ups to avoid multiple separate rounds.
The five conditions named in the circular are overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, dental disease and mental health disorders. The ministry says the screening must follow its own rules on school-age health checks and screening, with the process designed not only to identify cases but also to support counselling and referral for treatment when necessary.
At central level, the Department of Disease Prevention is to lead the work with the Department of Medical Service Administration, overseeing guidance, monitoring and evaluation. At provincial level, people’s committees are expected to direct relevant agencies to organise the checks, screenings, counselling, treatment and referral arrangements for pupils in their areas. The new framework follows earlier ministry guidance on beginning-of-year health checks for preschool children and school students, reflecting a broader push to manage child health more systematically through the education system.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
