Can Speech Impediments Exempt Individuals from Military Service? Required Documents for Citizens Undergoing Military Health Examinations
How is the classification of health status for military service determined?
Based on the provisions specified in Article 9 of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP, the guidelines for classifying health status for military service are as follows:
- The basis for health classification is determined according to the health standards in Table Number 1, Table Number 2, and Table Number 3 of Annex 1 issued together with Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP.
- The scoring method to classify health status is determined as follows:
Each criterion, after being examined by the doctor, is scored from 1 - 6 in the “Score” column, specifically:
+ Score 1: Indicates very good health;
+ Score 2: Indicates good health;
+ Score 3: Indicates fairly good health;
+ Score 4: Indicates average health;
+ Score 5: Indicates poor health;
+ Score 6: Indicates very poor health.
- How to record the military service health form
+ Each specialty area, after examination, the doctor will score in the “Score” column; in the “Reason” column, the rationale for the score must be briefly stated; in the “Sign” column, the examining doctor must sign and clearly write their name;
+ In the conclusion section, the Chairman of the Health Examination Council bases on the scores given for each criterion to conclude and classify health status accordingly, recording in numbers and words (the words part is enclosed in parentheses);
+ The Chairman of the Health Examination Council is responsible for signing the military service health form after making the conclusion;
+ The signature of the Chairman of the Health Examination Council is stamped with the seal of the Council’s governing body; the signature of the Chairman of the Re-examination Council is stamped with the seal of the unit that decided to establish the Health Re-examination Council.
- The health classification will be based on the scores given for 8 criteria recorded in the military service health form to classify. Specifically:
+ Type 1: All 8 criteria score 1;
+ Type 2: At least 1 criterion scores 2;
+ Type 3: At least 1 criterion scores 3;
+ Type 4: At least 1 criterion scores 4;
+ Type 5: At least 1 criterion scores 5;
+ Type 6: At least 1 criterion scores 6.
Additionally, for cases of acute illnesses, diseases that might improve or worsen over time or after treatment, the score should be accompanied by the letter “T” next to it (meaning “temporary”). The examiner must briefly note the disease name in Vietnamese alongside it (international terms can be enclosed in parentheses). When concluding, if the letter "T" is on the criterion with the highest score, it should be written into the health classification part;
In cases where it is doubtful, and immediate scoring is not possible, the Health Examination Council may refer the citizen to a hospital for a more accurate diagnosis;
For cases where a conclusion cannot be reached, the citizen should be referred to the nearest specialized hospital for examination and a diagnostic conclusion. The maximum time from 7 - 10 days must have a conclusion and only applies when necessary;
In cases where the health form indicates “T,” the Health Examination Council for military service is responsible for guiding the citizen to medical facilities for treatment.
Can speech impediment be grounds for temporary deferment of military service? What documents should citizens present during a health examination for military service? (Image from the Internet)
Can a speech impediment be grounds for temporary deferment of military service?
Based on the provisions in sub-section 3, Section II of Annex 1 issued together with Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP concerning health classification by disease, citizens with speech impediments fall under laryngeal diseases, scoring from 3 to 6 depending on the clarity of speech understood by the listener.
Specifically, if the listener understands 75% to less than 100% of the words, it scores 3. If the listener understands 50% to less than 75% of the words, it scores 4. If the listener understands 20% to less than 50% of the words, it scores 5. If the listener understands less than 20%, it scores 6.
Simultaneously, the health classification regulations in Clause 4, Article 9 of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP stipulate as follows:
Classification of health for military service
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4. Classification method
Based on the scores given for the 8 criteria recorded in the military service health form to classify. Specifically:
a) Type 1: All 8 criteria score 1;
b) Type 2: At least 1 criterion scores 2;
c) Type 3: At least 1 criterion scores 3;
d) Type 4: At least 1 criterion scores 4;
e) Type 5: At least 1 criterion scores 5;
f) Type 6: At least 1 criterion scores 6.
Thus, citizens with speech impediments are classified with a health status from 3 to 6 according to the regulations above.
However, Clause 3, Article 4 of Circular 148/2020/TT-BQP specifies the health standards for military service as follows:
Recruitment standards
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3. Health standards:
a) Select citizens with health grades 1, 2, 3 according to the provisions of Joint Circular No. 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP dated June 30, 2016, by the Minister of Health - Minister of Defense on the health examination regulations for military service.
b) For agencies, units, positions specified in Point b, Clause 2 of this Article, selection shall ensure specific standards as per the Ministry of Defense regulations.
c) Do not enlist citizens with health grade 3 for refractive eye disorders (myopia 1.5 diopters or more, hyperopia all levels); drug addiction, HIV, AIDS.
Thus, if a citizen is classified with health grade 3, they still perform military service according to the regulations.
What documents should citizens present during a health examination for military service?
Based on the provisions in Clause 1, Article 10 of Joint Circular 16/2016/TTLT-BYT-BQP regarding the documents to be presented during a health check, these include:
- The order for a health examination or re-examination from the Chief of the District Military Command;
- Identification card;
- Relevant personal health documents (if any) to be handed over to the Health Examination Council or Health Check Team for military service.
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