VietNamNet Bridge – A new draft of health regulations for drivers was released by the Ministry of Health last week, covering both Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese.

Drivers must pass nine health criteria to be eligible for a license. The criteria relate to mental health, neurology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, cardiology, respiratory, rheumatology, endocrinology and drug usage. Specific criteria apply to motorbike drivers, car and non-commercial truck drivers and commercial vehicle drivers (other licenses).

The new draft abandons controversial rules from the drivers' health regulations proposed in 2008, which the Ministry of Justice later suspended following a public outcry over rules seen as discriminatory.

The regulations specified that those less than 1.5m tall should not drive cars and people under 1.45m tall, less than 40kg and with a chest size of less than 72cm would not be allowed to drive a motorbike.

The new regulations are the first to ban drug and alcohol users from driving vehicles.

Luong Ngoc Khue, head of the ministry's Medical Examination and Treatment Department, said that some hospitals were still in the business of selling fake health test results. The Ministry would closely monitor the granting of health certificates at all health care facilities, he said.

Health Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Xuyen asserted that the development of health regulations for vehicle drivers was a "complicated and sensitive work" that could affect almost every resident in the society.

"Therefore, the Ministry is carefully taking it step by step and will co-operate with the Ministry of Transport to issue the circular as soon as possible," she said.

VNS/VNN