Hanoi, June 23 -- The elderly in Vietnam will be entitled to at least one free annual health check-up or screening from 2026 under a revised national programme on elderly care through 2030.

The policy is included in Decision No. 1116/QD-TTg, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra on June 22, amending the national programme approved in 2020.

Under the revised programme, senior citizens will have health records established, with up to 90% to be screened, treated, and monitored for non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dementia.

The programme also targets 90% of communes, wards, and special zones having at least one elderly care ...