Summary of tasks of medical examination and treatment facilities in mental health treatment in Vietnam

Summary of tasks of medical examination and treatment facilities in mental health treatment in Vietnam (Internet image)

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam promulgates Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT dated December 30, 2022 defining the tasks of mental health examination and treatment of medical examination and treatment establishments.

According to Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, the tasks of medical examination and treatment facilities when treating mental illness are as follows:

1. Mission of a mental health hospital in Vietnam

According to Article 2 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, mental health hospitals perform the following tasks:

- Medical examination and treatment for mental illness in the form of outpatient, day, and inpatient treatment, including:

+ First aid and resuscitation;

+ Medical examination and treatment of mental illnesses;

Performing psychotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and other therapies according to the scope of activities approved by the competent authority and according to professional regulations;

+ Researching and implementing new techniques and new methods of mental health examination and treatment according to regulations;

+ Counseling on mental health improvement, prevention of mental disorders, career guidance, and social support for patients and their family members;

+ Medical examination and treatment for mental illnesses in cases of natural disasters, disasters, and epidemics;

+ Organizing or participating in the examination and certification of mental health status for subjects according to regulations;

+ Supporting or participating in medical examination and treatment for mental illnesses at lower levels and in the community;

+ Participating in other medical examination and treatment activities when mobilized

- Training and fostering medical staff:

+ Carrying out continuous training and fostering mental knowledge;

+ Being a practice training facility in psychiatry for health training institutions as prescribed;

+ Receiving foreign interns and experts to study and research according to regulations.

- Scientific research:

+ Conducting and participating in scientific research projects as prescribed;

+ Advising superior management agencies on scientific research in mental health examination and treatment

+ Organizing and participating in scientific conferences and seminars;

+ Organizing scientific research cooperation programs with domestic and foreign units according to regulations.

- Directing mental health care activities for medical examination and treatment establishments within the scope of their assigned responsibilities, including:

+ Technical transfer on mental health care;

+ Technical support for mental health care;

+ Inspecting and supervising the performance of professional mental health care activities.

- Prevention, communication, and education of mental health:

+ Organizing propaganda of undertakings and policies of the Party and State and legal documents on the protection and care of mental health for the people;

+ Implementing communication and education activities on mental health;

+ Assuming the prime responsibility for and coordinating with relevant agencies, units, and organizations to deploy activities to prevent and combat mental disorders in the community and improve mental health—which focuses on school mental health care.

- Pharmaceutical work:

Complying with hospital pharmacy regulations and managing psychotropic drugs as prescribed.

- Performing other tasks as prescribed by current law or when fully qualified and approved by competent authorities, or mobilized.

2. Tasks of the mental health department in Vietnam

The tasks of the mental health department are specified in Article 3 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, specifically:

- Performing the tasks specified at Points a, b, c, d, dd, e, h and i, Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, including:

+ First aid and resuscitation;

+ Medical examination and treatment of mental illnesses;

Performing psychotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and other therapies according to the scope of activities approved by the competent authority and according to professional regulations;

+ Researching and implementing new techniques and new methods of mental health examination and treatment according to regulations;

+ Counseling on mental health improvement, prevention of mental disorders, career guidance, and social support for patients and their family members;

+ Medical examination and treatment for mental illnesses in cases of natural disasters, disasters, and epidemics;

+ Supporting or participating in medical examination and treatment for mental illnesses at lower levels and in the community;

+ Participating in other medical examination and treatment activities when mobilized and mobilized.

- Participating in examination and assessment of mental health status for subjects according to regulations.

- Performing other tasks as prescribed by current law or when eligible and approved by competent authorities or when mobilized or mobilized.

3. Mission of Mental Health Clinics and Health Stations in Vietnam

In Article 4 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, the tasks of mental health clinics and health stations in communes, wards, townships, and the equivalent are as follows:

- Performing the tasks specified at Points a, b, c, d, dd, e, and i, Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT, in the form of outpatient treatment.

- Health stations of communes, wards, townships, and the equivalent shall perform additional tasks of implementing community mental health care activities according to regulations.

- Mental health clinics perform other tasks as prescribed by current law, when fully qualified and approved by competent authorities, or when mobilized.

4. Duties of other medical examination and treatment establishments

Pursuant to Article 5 of Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT stipulating the duties of other medical examination and treatment establishments participating in mental health examination and treatment, as follows:

Performing the task of examining and treating mental illnesses according to the scope of professional activities approved by competent authorities.

Circular 17/2022/TT-BYT takes effect from February 15, 2023.

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