Vietnam targets healthcare efficiency with targeted screening programs

HANOI — Vietnam's health authorities are overhauling their national health screening initiative to improve outcomes while controlling expenditures, shifting toward disease-specific assessments rather than broad-based check-ups.

The Ministry of Health is currently analyzing implementation data from existing health check-up programs to identify which screening approaches deliver the greatest public health benefits at the lowest cost. Officials are developing disease-specific screening guidelines tailored to different population groups, recognizing that one-size-fits-all approaches waste resources and may miss high-risk individuals.

A key component of the reform involves leveraging existing medical records and diagnostic data held across Vietnam's healthcare system. By integrating databases and reducing unnecessary repeat testing, authorities aim to cut costs while improving care continuity for patients. The initiative follows successful large-scale programs in Ho Chi Minh City, where millions of residents have participated in subsidized health screening efforts in recent years.

The push toward efficiency comes as Vietnam expands health coverage. Authorities have announced plans to provide free annual health check-ups to elderly citizens beginning in 2026, making cost controls particularly important for program sustainability.