Vietnam: What is the frequency of regular eye examination of students? What are the responsibilities of schools in healthcare activities for students?

What is the frequency of regular eye examination of students in Vietnam?

The eyes are referred to as the "windows to the soul," and thus, both adults and children, especially students, need to maintain a regular eye examination schedule to ensure eye health monitoring.

The frequency of regular eye examinations for students depends on age, eye health condition, and exposure to risk factors like screen usage or studying in poor lighting conditions. Specifically:

- Children under 6 years should undergo at least one eye examination before entering primary education (around 4-5 years old) is recommended to detect issues like amblyopia or strabismus.

- Primary school students (6-12 years old) should undergo eye examinations once a year because this is the stage when refractive errors such as myopia often appear and progress.

- Secondary school students (13-18 years old) should undergo annual eye examinations or sooner if they have abnormal signs such as eye strain, blurred vision, or headaches.

Parents and teachers should pay attention to signs like frequent blinking, head tilting when looking, or complaints about unclear vision.

If a child has a family history of severe refractive errors or frequently uses electronic devices, undergoing regular eye examinations is even more crucial. Parents should ensure children study inadequate lighting conditions, take reasonable breaks, and maintain habits that protect the eyes to reduce the risk of vision problems.

Thus, the frequency of regular eye examinations for students is once a year.

Note: Information is for reference only!

What is the frequency of regular eye examination of students in Vietnam? What are the responsibilities of schools in healthcare activities for students? (Image from the Internet)

What are the responsibilities of schools in healthcare activities for students in Vietnam?

Under Article 12 of Joint Circular 13/2016/TTLT-BYT-BGDDT (amended by Clause 7, Article 147 Decree 96/2023/ND-CP), the responsibilities of schools in healthcare activities include:

Every school shall:

- Comply with provisions of healthcare in schools as stipulated in this Circular.

- Supervise, inspect and provide instructions on the implementation of school health.

- Provide necessary facilities, equipment and drugs for medical staff to conduct school health services.

- Request competent authorities to provide medical staff for school healthcare.

- Set up the Student Health Advisory Board in which the school board’s representative plays as the Chief, the Head of the medical station of the commune as Deputy chief, school medical staff as standing members, physical teachers, teacher in charge of Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization of the school (for primary and lower secondary schools) and representatives of Communist Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City, school’s red cross and Parent-Teacher Association as members.

- Consult competent authorities about current regulations and standards in case of construction, renovation, and purchase of equipment, teaching tools, preschool toys, medical facilities, drugs and medical devices.

What are the regulations on school health management and education in Vietnam?

Under Article 9 of Joint Circular 13/2016/TTLT-BYT-BGDDT, the school health management and education in Vietnam are specified as follows:

- Carry out health examination at the beginning of every academic year to assess student’s physical and nutritional status by measuring the height and weight of students of under 36 months olds; and measuring the height and weight, blood pressure, heart rate and visual acuity of students of older 36 months old .

- Monthly and quarterly measure the height and weight and record physical developmental milestone charts of under-24- month students and above-24-month students, respectively; measure BMI at least twice an academic year to provide advices on nutrition and physical exercises for high school students.

- Regularly examine student’s health, visual acuity, curvature of spine, oral diseases, metal health and other diseases to cure and apply a proper learning environment and physical exercises.

- Cooperate with qualified medical facilities to carry out specialty examination and treatment.

- Administer first aid and emergency treatment under current regulations of the Minister of Health.

- Provide students, their parents or guardians and teachers with advice on common diseases, student physical and mental development and healthcare; in case of disabled students, assist them in inclusive education.

- Provide instructions on healthy meal and diversified foods according to student’s age ( for boarding schools and semi-boarding schools)

- Cooperate with local medical facility to administer vaccines to students.

- Notify students’ parrents or guardians of their child’s health at least once an academic year or where necessary. Medical staff shall assess students’ health status by the graduation as the basis for health recording in the higher level.

10. Record the student health in health examination record, health record and integrated health record.

11. Regularly inspect and supervise the study environment, school hygiene, food safety, drinking water and hand wash. Implement measures for preventing and controlling diseases under the Circular No.46/2010/TT-BYT and other instructions of medical authorities.

- Conduct medical programs and hygiene campaign, participate in physical exercises, healthy meal, and create smoke-free, alcohol-free and addictive-free schools.