Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
by Andrew Doan Thanh Phong
Ho Chi Minh City (Fides News Agency) – Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most populous city in Southern Vietnam, aims to provide free annual health examinations for 15 million people between 2026 and 2030. This goal is coupled with the development of a proactive screening system and the application of digitalization in public health.
In line with this, on April 17, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City`s health department simultaneously launched a large-scale free health check-up program at 168 health stations across the city. Medical staff from over 100 hospitals were mobilized to conduct the free screenings and create electronic health records for all 15 million residents of the city.
All test results as well as risk factors from the free health examinations of the residents in Ho Chi Minh city will be updated in the electronic health records, thereby enabling comprehensive and continuous monitoring of each individual's health. Doctors believe that if this model is maintained in the long term, it could significantly increase the rate of early disease detection for people in Ho Chi Minh City, thereby improving treatment effectiveness, reducing mortality rates, and easing the financial burden on families and society.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City said: "Health is not only the most valuable asset of each individual but also the foundation of quality of life and sustainable development. Ho Chi Minh City – a civilized, modern, and compassionate city – is not only measured by its economic growth, but also by the people's access to the quality of healthcare services". The goal to ensure that every citizen will receive at least one free health check-up per year is considered one of the largest community health programs ever held in Ho Chi Minh City.
This program of free health examinations in Ho Chi Minh city has been strongly welcomed by many people, especially the poor and low-income workers. The fact is that, in Vietnam, many people are reluctant to go for medical checkups not only because of its cost but also because they fear that if they are diagnosed with an illness, they would have to spend money on treatment and would be unable to continue working to support themselves and their families.
Therefore, upon learning about the free health examinations, many people rushed to the health stations early in the morning, queuing up as instructed by medical staff to get their health examined.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Duyen (67 years old), who earns her living by selling lottery tickets on streets, took the opportunity to have a health check-up after many years without doing this. "I got my health examined in order to make me know more clearly of any illnesses earlier so that I could adjust my diet and lifestyle accordingly. After the check-up, I feel much more at ease.": Mrs. Duyen shared.
Mr. Giang Kim Quy (70 years old) smiled brightly, carrying a bag of rice that is a gift from the city he had just received after his check-up. He shared his emotion: “Today the doctor examined me again, gave me more detailed instructions, prescribed medication, and guided me on how to monitor my condition. People in difficult circumstances and with illnesses like me are very happy and grateful for this very humane work of the city and in particular the health sector. Furthermore, thanks to this program, elderly people like us don't have to travel far and save on examination costs,” Mr. Quy shared.
Previously, on March 29, 2026, the Caritas Office of the Archdiocese of Saigon, led by Sister Nguyen Phuong Dung along with doctors, pharmacists, dentists, and volunteers, visited An Binh parish in the Diocese of Buon Me Thuot, Southern Vietnam. This small parish is located in Da Kia commune, an impoverished area surrounded by rugged mountains and winding roads, and is home to a large population of the S’tieng ethnic minority. There are just about 20% Catholics among 2,500 residents in this mountainous commune; the rest are S’tieng people who have not yet learned about God and other migrants from the Cambodian border. The medical team diligently examined the villagers for common ailments such as internal medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, and hypertension.
Recently, public health has been gaining more attention from the government and religious organizations in Vietnam, including the Catholic Church. The slogan "everyone has the right to access good health care for a long and healthy life" is becoming close to Vietnamese society. (Fides News Agency, 27/4/2026)
