Decree-Letters No. 162 on the conscription of physicians, pharmacists, and dentists for the military

DECREE-LAW

On the Conscription of Physicians, Pharmacists, and Dentists for the Military

CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Pursuant to Decree-Law No. 16 dated November 24, 1945 on the conscription of medical personnel for the Ministry of Health or for the military;

Considering the current situation, the Government requires many physicians, pharmacists, and dentists to assist in health facilities within military units;

At the proposal of the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Social Affairs;

After the Council of Ministers' approval;

ISSUES THE DECREE-LAW:

Article 1

The Minister of National Defense may, according to the needs of the military, issue a decree for the conscription of physicians, pharmacists, and dentists to manage health facilities within the military.

Article 2

Conscription shall be carried out in accordance with the following general principles:

A) All physicians, pharmacists, and dentists may be subject to conscription except for:

1) Those over fifty-five years of age;

2) Those recognized by a draft board appointed by the Minister of National Defense as unfit for military service due to health reasons;

3) Those who have voluntarily or been conscripted into the Vietnamese military for at least six months. However, any period of service before graduation as a physician, pharmacist, or dentist shall not be considered in applications for exemption.

If all such individuals have already served at least one six-month conscription term or volunteered to serve in the military for at least six months and the military still requires physicians, pharmacists, or dentists, the Ministry of National Defense may initiate subsequent conscription rounds as necessary.

B) Each conscription period shall be no less than six months.

Article 3

The details for implementing conscription shall be determined by the Minister of National Defense upon the proposal of the Chief of Military Medical Service.

Article 4

Salaries and allowances of physicians, pharmacists, and dentists in civil service positions who are conscripted shall continue to be borne by the budgets of the agencies they serve during their conscription period.

Self-employed physicians, pharmacists, and dentists who are conscripted will receive salaries and allowances funded from the Ministry of National Defense's budget.

Article 5

Physicians, pharmacists, and dentists ordered to be conscripted must comply immediately without delay. Those who fail to do so shall be prosecuted before a Military Court and punished according to Article 12 of Decree-Law No. 68 dated November 30, 1945.

Article 6

All provisions of the Decree dated November 24, 1945 that are contrary to this Decree shall be abolished.

Article 7

The Ministers of Interior Affairs, National Defense, Social Affairs, Finance, and Justice shall implement this Decree accordingly.