Ho Chi Minh City Tightens Regulations on Medical Training and Certification

Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Health has initiated a crackdown on the training and continuous medical knowledge update activities for healthcare professionals. The move aims to ensure that all issued certificates are legitimate, properly authorized, and comply with legal regulations.

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Training activities and continuous medical knowledge updates for healthcare personnel are carried out according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health.

The department observed that some organizations, registered as science and technology entities, were conducting medical training and knowledge updates without adhering to the Ministry of Health's Circular 32/2023. These unauthorized activities led to inconsistencies in how training was advertised, how certificates were issued, and the overall quality of education, potentially impacting healthcare workers' rights and state management effectiveness.

Consequently, the Department of Health has mandated that only facilities meeting the criteria outlined in Circular 32/2023 can organize continuous medical knowledge update courses. Any organization not meeting these requirements is prohibited from presenting itself as an authorized training provider or issuing certificates under this circular. For collaborative training efforts, entities must partner with recognized healthcare facilities or authorized institutions.

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The use of names, promotional methods, issuance of training participation certificates, and announcement of the legal status of organizing units are inconsistent, affecting the quality of training, the rights of practitioners, and the effectiveness of state management.

Furthermore, the department stressed that certificates for continuous medical knowledge updates cannot substitute for professional technical training certificates required by law. Healthcare facilities that have been certified to conduct such training must continue to operate within their authorized scope, ensuring accountability for their training content, faculty, materials, and student management. They must also verify the legal status of any collaborating entities.

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Certificates for continuous medical knowledge updates cannot be used to replace certificates for professional technical training in examination and treatment when the law requires it according to the Government's Decree 96/2023.