General Secretary To Lam has just signed Resolution 72 on behalf of the Politburo, outlining breakthrough measures to enhance the protection, care, and improvement of public health. According to the resolution, starting in 2026, all citizens will receive at least one free annual health check-up. By 2030, basic hospital fees will be waived for all.

This deeply humane policy reflects the Party’s far-sighted vision to provide every citizen - especially the disadvantaged - with access to healthcare and improved quality of life.

Looking even further ahead, the resolution aims for the average life expectancy of Vietnamese citizens to exceed 80 years by 2045.

To achieve this goal, from 2025 to 2030, each locality must annually transfer or assign at least 1,000 doctors to work on a temporary basis at commune-level health stations. At the same time, policies must be implemented to attract talented healthcare professionals to grassroots levels. This includes increasing the professional allowance to a minimum of 70% for those regularly and directly working at commune health stations and preventive medicine facilities, and up to 100% for medical personnel working in remote or isolated areas.

In reality, commune health stations are the frontline in disease detection and treatment. With proper investment in infrastructure, medical equipment, and qualified healthcare staff, these stations can play a vital role in primary healthcare, reducing unnecessary referrals to higher-level hospitals, saving families money, and easing hospital overcrowding.

A highly progressive policy

Together with the free education policy, the resolution’s call for free medical services and breakthrough measures to protect and improve public health represents a progressive, people-centric direction. The public has warmly welcomed this initiative and hopes it will soon become a reality.

This move reflects a consistent view that protecting and caring for public health is both a goal and a driving force for rapid, sustainable national development.

Although Vietnam has moved beyond middle-income status and is on the path of further development, a large portion of the population still has unstable incomes and limited access to social welfare policies. A single serious illness can plunge an entire family into debt or even bankruptcy. For many - particularly ethnic minorities, residents in remote areas, and the urban poor - the cost of healthcare remains a major barrier.

Thus, offering free annual check-ups and progressing toward universal free medical care by 2030-2035 would significantly ease the financial burden on families and enable broader access to essential medical services.

If implemented, this policy would mark a transformative shift in the country’s social welfare system, opening up more healthcare opportunities for the people.

Experts believe that Resolution 72 not only demonstrates a human-centered vision but also signals a strategic shift toward a “people-first” approach in national governance. It is also a practical application of the principle that prevention is better than cure.

Each citizen who undergoes a regular health check gains critical knowledge about their health status, enabling them to adopt healthier lifestyles and proactively prevent illness. Those who can prevent diseases reduce their risk of falling ill and increase their chances of living longer. Effective prevention also eases the financial strain of unexpected illnesses on both individuals and families.

A realistic goal

Currently, over 94% of Vietnam’s population is covered by health insurance. About 95% of hospital beds reimbursed under the health insurance scheme are in public hospitals. Hospital fees constitute a significant portion of total healthcare costs and are already partly covered by health insurance. Aside from those working in government or enterprises with mandatory insurance, most insured individuals are retirees, elderly, ethnic minorities, and those receiving state support, with a smaller group buying voluntary insurance. Many still must co-pay treatment costs.

To eliminate hospital fees entirely, the government must raise insurance coverage to 100% of the population. It will also need to supplement the healthcare sector with substantial funding to purchase insurance, invest in infrastructure, medical equipment, and improve policies for medical workers - ensuring they feel secure and committed to their profession in accordance with the principle, “a good doctor is like a gentle mother.”

According to the Ministry of Health, the average cost for one health check-up is 250,000 VND (approximately USD 10). With 100 million citizens, this would require an annual budget of 25 trillion VND (roughly USD 1 billion). Assuming everyone with insurance takes advantage of their free check-up, this cost is manageable. In fact, the health insurance fund has accumulated surpluses of tens of trillions of dong in recent years - more than 40 trillion VND (around USD 1.6 billion) by the end of 2023.

Therefore, universal free healthcare is both a compassionate and achievable goal, provided it is paired with sustainable economic development and fair allocation of social welfare resources. Successfully implementing this policy would improve public health services and help enhance people’s quality of life.

Nonetheless, full exemption from hospital fees will not be easy. In reality, hospital fees remain a vital revenue source for healthcare facilities, especially in the private sector. Health and life are the most valuable assets; therefore, waiving fees must not reduce hospital revenues at the expense of care quality. The government must compensate hospitals for the loss in revenue to maintain service standards. This means public healthcare spending must increase accordingly.

A phased implementation plan and concrete strategies are essential, along with support from ministries, sectors, and local authorities, to make this policy a reality. Free healthcare is more than a compassionate policy - it is a solemn promise to the people for a future filled with joy, health, and happiness.

Van Thieng