Right to Medical Examination and Treatment of Citizens

According to the content of the Law on People's Health Protection 1989, this right is specifically stipulated as follows:

- Everyone who is ill, has a disease, or has an accident is to be examined and treated at medical facilities where citizens reside, work, or study.

Patients are also allowed to choose physicians or traditional medicine practitioners, medical facilities, and go abroad for medical examination and treatment according to the regulations of the Council of Ministers.

- In case of emergency, patients are to receive emergency treatment at any medical facility. Medical facilities must admit and handle all emergency cases.

Additionally, the Law also stipulates the responsibilities of healthcare providers in examining and treating people as well as the responsibilities of patients, specifically:

- Healthcare providers are obliged to examine, treat, prescribe, and guide patients on disease prevention and self-treatment; they must keep confidential any information related to the illness or private life of the patients that they know.

- Healthcare providers must have medical ethics, a spirit of responsibility, and be dedicated to saving patients; strictly comply with professional and technical medical regulations; only use methods, means, and pharmaceuticals permitted by the Ministry of Health.

- Irresponsible behavior in emergency care, examination, and treatment that harms the health, life, honor, or dignity of the patient is strictly prohibited.

- Patients have the responsibility to respect healthcare providers and medical staff; comply with regulations in medical examination and treatment.

- Patients must pay a portion of the medical costs. The Council of Ministers stipulates policies for collecting medical costs.

See more related contents at: Law on People's Health Protection 1989 effective July 11, 1989.

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE