Nearly 1 million elderly people in Ho Chi Minh City will receive free health check-ups.

Để hỗ trợ người cao tuổi thăm khám, ngoài y bác sĩ tại trạm y tế còn có các lực lượng địa phương như: Hội Chữ thập đỏ, cộng tác viên sức khỏe cộng đồng... - Ảnh: THU HIẾN — To support the elderly in medical examination, in addition to doctors at the health station, there are also local forces such as the Red Cross, community health collaborators... - Photo: THU HIEN

According to Tuoi Tre Online, many districts in Ho Chi Minh City have completed the first round of health check-ups for the elderly (March 2024) and will continue with the second round (April 2024) such as: Thu Duc City Medical Center, District 10 Medical Center, Go Vap District Medical Center...

In the following months, localities will continue to implement "rolling" examinations to complete the task of examining all local elderly people by the end of 2024.

Mrs. HT (81 years old, Thu Duc City) shared that she was very happy and surprised when the head of the residential group came to her house and sent her an invitation for a free health check-up. Previously, due to difficult economic circumstances, she rarely had regular health check-ups.

On the morning of April 17, instead of having to bring his children and grandchildren with him, Mr. T. invited some other elderly people to go to Phuoc Long A Ward Medical Station (Thu Duc City) for a check-up. Before 9am, he had finished his blood test, ultrasound, blood pressure measurement...

The examination results showed that Mr. T. was in good health, without high blood pressure or diabetes...

Due to a history of bone and joint pain, the doctor carefully advised him on his lifestyle, exercise regimen, and to go to a nearby hospital for examination if the disease recurred.

A representative of Phuoc Long A Ward Health Station (Thu Duc City) said that this is the second time the station has organized medical examinations for the elderly, the first time was held in March 2024.

In the first phase, due to lack of experience in organizing medical examinations, the elderly had to wait a long time. In the second phase, the health station learned from experience and organized medical examinations in each neighborhood so the elderly did not have to wait long.

According to this representative, the ward currently has 6 neighborhoods with 2,500 elderly people. By the end of 2024, the goal of examining all elderly people in the area will be completed.

For those who cannot come to the examination location, medical staff will come to their home or the local authorities will help transport them.

All elderly people in the ward are given free health check-ups, regardless of permanent or temporary residence.

Spending nearly 150 billion VND on free health check-ups for the elderly

In 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued a plan for health check-ups and early detection of non-communicable diseases in the elderly (aged 60 and over) in the period 2024 - 2025.

Public opinion considers this a completely suitable direction when Ho Chi Minh City has a fast aging population but the number of healthy years is quite low.

The city will spend nearly 150 billion VND each year to provide free health check-ups for over 1 million elderly people to "prevent" diseases from afar, reduce treatment costs and improve the quality of life for the elderly.