The Ministry of Health's proposal on 35 occupational diseases covered by social insurance in Vietnam according to the new Draft

The Ministry of Health's proposal on 35 occupational diseases covered by social insurance in Vietnam according to the new Draft (Internet image)

The Ministry of Health's proposal on 35 occupational diseases covered by social insurance in Vietnam according to the new Draft

The Ministry of Health is drafting a Circular regulating occupational diseases covered by social insurance in Vietnam. It is expected that this draft Circular will replace Circular 15/2016/TT-BYT; Circular 02/2023/TT-BYT.

The Ministry of Health proposed 35 occupational diseases covered by social insurance, including:

1. Occupational silicosis

2. Occupational asbestosis

3. Occupational byssinosis

4. Occupational talc pneumoconiosis lung disease

5. Occupational coalworker's pneumoconiosis

6. Occupational chronic bronchitis

7. Occupational asthma

8. Occupational lead poisoning

9. Occupational intoxication of benzene and benzene homologues

10. Occupational mercurialism

11. Occupational manganism

12. Occupational trinitrotoluene poisoning

13. Occupational asernic poisoning

14. Occupational intoxication of pesticide chemicals

15. Occupational nicotine poisoning

16. Occupational carbon monoxide poisoning

17. Occupational cadmium poisoning

18. Noise-induced hearing loss

19. Occupational decompression sickness

20. Occupational whole-body vibration

21. Occupational local vibration

22. Occupational radiation toxicity

23. Occupational cataract

24. Occupational black acne disease

25. Occupational melasma

26. Occupational chromium contact dermatitis

27. Occupational skin diseases due to prolonged wet and cold exposure

28. Occupational skin diseases due to exposure to natural rubber and rubber additive chemicals

29. Occupational leptospirosis

30. Occupational hepatitis B

31. Occupational tuberculosis

32. HIV infection due to occupational accidents

33. Occupational hepatitis C

34. Occupational mesotholioma cancer

35. Occupational COVID-19

In general, the number of occupational diseases remains the same; however, there are changes, some new diseases are added and old diseases are removed compared to current regulations.

Principles for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for employees getting occupational diseases in Vietnam

The draft states that an employee diagnosed with an occupational disease is required to have his/her exposure to occupational hazards causing that occupational disease limited; be treated following the clinical guidelines of the Ministry of Health. For occupational intoxication, instant detoxification is required.

In addition, he/she needs to undergo rehabilitation and an assessment of work ability reduction to claim insurance as regulated

The draft states that for some occupational diseases (noise-induced hearing loss, occupational local vibration, whole-body vibration, manganism poisoning, dust lung diseases except for byssinosis) and occupational cancers or cancers caused by occupational diseases without the possibility of long-term treatment, patients are required to be immediately transferred for medical examination.

Cases where a diagnosis of occupational intoxication is made during the latency period do not require toxicity testing.

Criteria for proposing new diseases or features to be added to the List under the law in Vietnam

Preventive healthcare-related Academies, Universities of Medicine, Pharmacy shall take the initiative in conducting research and proposing new diseases or features related to occupations so as for the Ministry of Health (Health Environmental Management Department) to consider and add them to this list of occupational diseases covered by social insurance according to the following criteria:

- The connection between exposure to occupational hazards during the working process and a particular disease is successfully discovered. Some diseases could be found after years of first exposure to occupational hazards during the working process, whether employees are retired or change jobs.

- Employees exposed to occupational hazards are more likely to get diseases compared to those without exposure.

- Some diseases in the workplace caused by exposure to occupational hazards during the working process that fail to be researched due to a lack of eligibility but are internationally recognized as covered occupational diseases may be added to the list of occupational diseases covered by social insurance in Vietnam.

Health agencies of other ministries shall, based on the above criteria, propose new diseases or features related to occupations so as for the Ministry of Health to consider and add them to this list of occupational diseases covered by social insurance; instruct medical facilities to comply with the current regulation on health examinations for soon discovery of occupational diseases; regularly check and impose strict penalties on organizations and individuals committing violations of laws on occupation diseases.

Based on the above criteria, labor facilities, occupational disease examination facilities, trade unions of all levels, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals shall make a report proposing new diseases related to different industries and occupations so as for the Ministry of Health (Health Environmental Management Department) to consider and add them to this list of occupational diseases covered by social insurance.

Le Nguyen Anh Hao

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