The Ministry of Health has recently introduced Circular 30/2023/TT-BYT, outlining 50 disease categories and health conditions eligible for remote diagnosis and treatment. These cover almost 20 medical specialties and include conditions such as obesity, acute and chronic pharyngitis, tonsillitis, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, inflammatory joint diseases, spinal degeneration, cancer survivorship, and chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, thyroid disorders, and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

In addition, neurology and psychiatry disorders such as anxiety, depression, mental disorders, tension headaches, vestibular disorders, migraine, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s are part of the eligible list. Infectious diseases like dengue fever without warning signs, influenza, COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS, as well as dermatology conditions including viral, allergic, immune, bacterial, and fungal-parasitic skin diseases, are also covered. Other specialties like ophthalmology, functional rehabilitation, digestive, and respiratory systems are included in the list.

Effective from January 1, 2024, under the Health Examination and Treatment Law 2023, remote diagnosis and treatment involve medical practitioners providing healthcare services through devices and information technology without direct contact with patients. Practitioners must adhere to professional standards, follow the specified list of diseases, and take responsibility for diagnostic results, treatment processes, and medication prescriptions. The ministry plans to continuously update the list based on deployment experience, patient needs, and healthcare facility requirements in the future. The telemedicine project, launched by the Ministry of Health in 2020, aims to provide accessible medical counseling, remote diagnosis, and expert support from local to central healthcare levels, ensuring quality healthcare services for everyone at grassroots healthcare establishments.