Decision No. 1635/2004/QĐ-BYT Issuing the Regulation on Certification of Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community Titles

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Regarding Issuing the Regulations on Certification of Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community Titles
Healthy Ward and Healthy Community

____________________

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to the Law on People's Health Protection dated June 30, 1989;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 49/2003/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2003 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

At the proposal of the Director of the Preventive Medicine and HIV/AIDS Control Department,

DECISION:

Article 1. The Regulations on Certification of Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community titles are hereby issued together with this Decision.

Article 2. The Preventive Medicine and HIV/AIDS Control Department shall be responsible for guiding, directing, and supervising the implementation of this Decision.

Article 3. The Standard Measurement Quality Control Department shall be responsible for organizing and guiding the implementation of the Regulations adopted herein.

Article 4. The Heads of the Office, Inspectorate, Preventive Medicine and HIV/AIDS Control Department, Departments under the Ministry of Health, Food Safety and Hygiene Control Department, Vietnam Drug Administration Department, Heads of units directly under the Ministry, and Directors of Provincial Health Services, Central City Health Services, and Sectoral Health Services are responsible for enforcing this Decision.

REGULATIONS ON CERTIFICATION

OF THE HEALTHY FAMILY, HEALTHY VILLAGE, HEALTHY WARD AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY TITLES
(issued together with Decision No. 1635/2004/QĐ-BYT dated May 11, 2004 of the Minister of Health)
1. These regulations specify the titles, criteria, and procedures for certifying Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community for families, villages, wards, and communities that have achieved significant results in implementing the "Coordinated Activities Program to Promote and Protect People's Health in the All-People Solidarity Movement for a Civilized Lifestyle".
2. Families, villages, wards, and communities referred to in Clause 1 of this Article include:

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.

Vietnamese families residing in Vietnam;

Villages, hamlets, ấp, bản, buôn, sóc, collectively referred to as villages;

Wards, block wards, residential groups, collective housing areas, collectively referred to as wards;

Communities are units below the commune, ward, town level operating under the vertical guidance of the United Front Committee.

The Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community titles are certified by the District, County, Town, and Provincial City Health Centers.

The certification of the Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community titles and the commendation of outstanding collectives and individuals must ensure transparency, democracy, and compliance with regulations.

Article 2. CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFYING THE HEALTHY FAMILY, HEALTHY VILLAGE, HEALTHY WARD, AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY TITLES

Article 3. I. CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES

Chapter II
FOR CERTIFYING THE HEALTHY FAMILY TITLE

Section Criteria for certifying the Healthy Family title:
1. The family does not have members suffering from common infectious diseases causing epidemics.

Article 4. 2. Children are taken to receive all required vaccinations according to regulations.

3. The family does not allow its members or surrounding people to suffer from food poisoning and does not have malnourished children.

4. The family has three basic sanitation facilities (toilet, bathhouse, and clean water supply).

5. Pregnant women undergo regular prenatal check-ups and vaccinations as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

6. Family members lead healthy lifestyles: engaging in physical exercise, avoiding alcohol addiction, not using drugs, and not smoking.

7. The family implements safety measures.

Procedures for issuing the Healthy Family certificate:

1. Regarding criteria: The family meets the criteria specified in Article 4 of these Regulations;

Article 5. 2. The application dossier includes:

A confirmation letter from the Commune Health Station (hereinafter referred to as the Commune Health Station) regarding the family meeting the criteria specified in Article 4.

A review record of the village, neighborhood, community group, or ward.

A request letter from the Commune Health Station.

The application dossier must be submitted to the District, County, Town, or Provincial City Health Center (hereinafter referred to as the County Health Center).

3. Based on the application dossier, the County Health Center is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and issuing the "Healthy Family" certificate.

The application file must be submitted to the Health Center of the district, county, town directly under a province, or city directly under a province (hereinafter referred to collectively as the District Health Center).

3. Based on the application file, the District Health Center shall be responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and issuing the "Healthy Family" certificate.

Section II. STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR HEALTH CERTIFICATION
COMMUNITY AND RURAL AREA HEALTH

Article 6. Standards for certifying Healthy Community and Rural Area (applicable to urban areas):

1. No outbreaks occur within the area.

2. Reduce by at least 10% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases compared to the previous year.

3. Ensure that at least 95% of children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations.

4. No food poisoning incidents with more than 30 people affected per incident.

5. Reduce annually by 1.5% the malnutrition rate among children under five years old.

6. At least 90% of households use clean water and have a bathroom.

7. At least 80% of households have a sanitary toilet.

8. 100% pregnant women receive at least one prenatal check-up, with over 85% receiving three or more check-ups.

9. Reduce by 10% the number of accidents and injuries compared to the previous year.

10. There is a physical exercise and sports movement to enhance health.

Article 7. Procedures for issuing certificates for Healthy Communities and Rural Areas:

1. Regarding standards:

The community meets the standards set out in Article 6.

At least 70% of households in the community are certified as Healthy Families.

2. Application dossier:

Confirmation letter from the Commune Health Station regarding the community meeting the standards set out in Article 6.

Report on achievements of the community.

Minutes of the assessment by the commune (including representatives of the Commune People's Committee, Commune Health Station, Women's Union...).

3. Based on the application dossier, the County Health Center is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and issuing the "Healthy Family" certificate.

The application dossier is submitted to the District Health Center.

3. Based on the application dossier, the District Health Center is responsible for reviewing, assessing, and issuing a certificate for "Healthy Community" or "Healthy Rural Area."

Section III. STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING CERTIFICATES
FOR HEALTHY VILLAGES AND RURAL AREAS

Article 8. Standards for certifying Healthy Villages and Rural Areas in plains and midlands:

1. No outbreaks occur within the area.

2. Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases compared to the previous year.

3. Ensure that at least 95% of children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations.

4. No food poisoning incidents with more than 30 people affected per incident.

5. Reduce annually by 1.5% the malnutrition rate among children under five years old.

6. At least 80% of households use clean water and have a bathroom.

7. At least 60% of households have a sanitary toilet.

8. 100% pregnant women receive at least one prenatal check-up, with over 75% receiving three or more check-ups during pregnancy.

9. Reduce by 10% the number of accidents and injuries compared to the previous year.

10. There is a physical exercise and sports movement to enhance health.

Article 9. Procedures for issuing certificates for Healthy Villages and Rural Areas in plains and midlands:

1. Regarding standards:

The village and rural area meet the standards set out in Article 8.

At least 60% of households in the village and rural area are certified as Healthy Families.

2. Application dossier:

Confirmation letter from the Commune Health Station regarding the village and rural area meeting the standards set out in Article 8.

Report on achievements of the village and rural area.

Minutes of the assessment by the commune (including representatives of the Commune People's Committee, Commune Health Station, Women's Union...).

3. Based on the application dossier, the County Health Center is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and issuing the "Healthy Family" certificate.

The application dossier is submitted to the District Health Center.

3. Based on the application dossier, the District Health Center is responsible for reviewing, assessing, and issuing a certificate for "Healthy Village" or "Healthy Rural Area."

Article 10. Standards for certifying Healthy Villages and Rural Areas in mountainous regions:

1. No outbreaks occur within the area.

2. Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases compared to the previous year.

3. Ensure that at least 90% of children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations.

4. No food poisoning incidents with more than 30 people affected per incident.

5. Reduce annually by 1.5% the malnutrition rate among children under five years old.

6. At least 60% of households use clean water and have a bathroom.

7. At least 50% of households have a sanitary toilet.

8. 100% pregnant women receive at least one prenatal check-up, with over 50% receiving three or more check-ups during pregnancy.

9. Reduce by 5-7% the number of accidents and injuries compared to the previous year.

10. There is a physical exercise and sports movement to enhance health.

Article 11. Procedures for issuing certificates for Healthy Villages and Rural Areas in mountainous regions:

1. Regarding standards:

The village and rural area must meet the standards set out in Article 10.

At least 50% of households are certified as Healthy Families.

2. Application dossier:

Confirmation letter from the Commune Health Station regarding the village and rural area meeting the standards set out in Article 10.

Report on achievements of the village and rural area.

Minutes of the assessment by the commune (including representatives of the Commune People's Committee, Commune Health Station, Women's Union...).

Proposal letter from the Commune Health Station. The application dossier is submitted to the District Health Center.

3. Based on the application dossier, the District Health Center is responsible for reviewing, assessing, and issuing a certificate for "Healthy Village" or "Healthy Rural Area."

Chapter III
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 12. Annually, the review and issuance of certificates for Healthy Families, Healthy Villages, Healthy Communities, and Healthy Rural Areas are organized once in the fourth quarter.

Article 13.

1. Healthy Families, Healthy Villages, Healthy Communities, and Healthy Rural Areas certified by the District Health Center will be awarded a Decision recognizing the certification along with the certificate.

2. Certificates for Healthy Families, Healthy Villages, Healthy Communities, and Healthy Rural Areas are valid for three years, after which they will be reviewed and reissued.

3. Groups and individuals with outstanding achievements will be commended by the Ministry of Health. Depending on specific conditions, localities may award monetary rewards or commemorative gifts to families, villages, communities, and rural areas that achieve the health title.

Article 14. Certificates for the titles of Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Community, and Healthy Rural Area are printed according to a unified national model.

Article 15. Families, villages, communities, and rural areas that have been certified as Healthy Families, Healthy Villages, Healthy Communities, and Healthy Rural Areas and fail to meet any of the provisions in this Regulation will not be considered for certification in subsequent rounds.

ANNEX

EXPLANATION OF HEALTH STANDARDS
1. These regulations specify the titles, criteria, and procedures for certifying Healthy Family, Healthy Village, Healthy Ward, and Healthy Community for families, villages, wards, and communities that have achieved significant results in implementing the "Coordinated Activities Program to Promote and Protect People's Health in the All-People Solidarity Movement for a Civilized Lifestyle".
2. Families, villages, wards, and communities referred to in Clause 1 of this Article include:

I. STANDARDS FOR HEALTHY FAMILY CERTIFICATION

1. The family has no members suffering from certain common infectious diseases causing outbreaks:

Common infectious diseases include: cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis.

The family meets this standard if no member contracts any of these infectious diseases causing outbreaks in a year. Cases are only counted when confirmed by health authorities based on laboratory results or typical clinical symptoms.

2. Ensuring all children under one year old are fully vaccinated against diseases as required:

Full vaccination here means all children under one year old in the family receive the appropriate vaccines or oral polio vaccine (OPV) doses according to their specific age.

BCG vaccine (for tuberculosis prevention): One dose in the first month.

Oral polio vaccine (OPV): Three doses in the second, third, and fourth months.

DPT vaccine (for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus): Three doses in the second, third, and fourth months.

Measles vaccine: One dose at nine months.

If a locality implements free vaccination for other types of vaccines, children in the required age group must also receive those vaccinations.

3. The family has no cases of food poisoning and no children suffer from malnutrition:

No cases of food poisoning:

A person suffering from food poisoning exhibits symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea (gastrointestinal syndrome), and may also show signs of paralysis, convulsions, respiratory, circulatory, and movement disorders (neurological syndrome) due to consuming food containing toxins or bacteria.

There is no case of food poisoning if none of the family members exhibit the above symptoms within a year. An incident is only counted when it is confirmed by the competent health authority based on test results or typical clinical symptoms.

There are no malnourished children: The family does not have any child whose weight or height is below the standard level assessed according to the "Weight Chart by Age for Determining Malnutrition in Children under Five Years Old" issued by the Ministry of Health.

4. The household has three sanitation facilities that meet hygiene standards (toilet, bathroom, and clean water).

A hygienic toilet must be enclosed, clean, preventing human, animal, and insect contact with feces, capable of eliminating pathogens in feces without contaminating the water supply. It must be discreetly covered and free from foul odors. Four types of toilets are recognized as hygienic: septic tank, flush toilet, two-compartment toilet, and submerged toilet with vent pipe.

Hygienic water sources include water from water plants or supply stations, rainwater, and well water treated through sedimentation and filtration. In flood-prone areas, households can use river water but it must be clarified and disinfected with Chloramine B.

A bathroom must minimally have a tiled, stone, or cement floor and be discreetly covered. Ideally, it should be surrounded by brick walls. It must be cleaned regularly.

5. Pregnant women attend prenatal checkups and vaccinations as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

Pregnant women must attend at least three prenatal checkups at healthcare facilities (the first within the first three months, the second within the middle three months, and the third within the last three months of pregnancy).

Receive tetanus vaccination according to schedule and complete two doses if not previously vaccinated, or receive a booster dose.

6. Family members lead a healthy lifestyle: engage in physical exercise, avoid alcohol addiction, refrain from using drugs, and do not smoke.

Engage in regular physical exercise: All family members regularly participate in morning exercises or join sports activities provided by the family or local community (volleyball, table tennis, badminton, soccer, basketball, etc.). This criterion is not mandatory for manual laborers.

Avoid alcohol addiction: No family member is addicted to alcohol affecting other family members or neighbors.

Do not smoke (both cigarettes and tobacco): No one in the family smokes indoors or in public places designated as non-smoking areas.

Do not use drugs: No family member uses or trades addictive substances classified as drugs.

Care for and support elderly family members.

7. Implement safety measures at home:

Do not produce, use, store, or transport flammable and explosive materials. Gas cylinders, gasoline, oxygen tanks... must be kept away from sources of fire.

Chemicals, medications... must be labeled with their name, expiration date, storage, transportation, usage instructions, and stored safely (not inside the house, near food or drink, or within reach of children).

Ensure safety for children under five years old from sharp objects, burns, electric shocks, falls, drowning... Families should have a first aid kit or emergency medical supplies. No one should be warned or punished for violating traffic safety laws.

II. CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF HEALTHY HOUSING AREAS AND COMMUNITIES
(applicable to urban areas)

1. No outbreaks occur in the area: No outbreaks occur in the housing area or community during the year, as confirmed by the competent health authority.

2. Reduce by at least 10% the incidence and mortality rates of common infectious diseases causing outbreaks compared to the previous year:

Common infectious diseases causing outbreaks are defined in Section I.1 of this Appendix.

Reduce by at least 10% the incidence and mortality rates of common infectious diseases causing outbreaks in the housing area or community compared to the previous year. If there were no infectious diseases in the previous year, there should be no new cases or deaths in the current year.

3. Ensure that at least 95% of children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations:

Children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to the regulations set out in Section I.2 of this Appendix.

Ensure that at least 95% of children in the housing area or community are fully vaccinated and up-to-date with their schedules.

4. No food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people: No food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people after consuming the same food occur in the housing area or community during the year.

5. Reduce the rate of malnutrition in children under five years old by at least 1.5% annually:

Reduce the rate of malnutrition in children under five years old in the housing area or community by at least 1.5% annually compared to the previous year. For provinces or cities where the rate of malnutrition in children under five years old is below 20%, the annual reduction rate may be lower and in accordance with approved targets.

Determine malnutrition in children based on the "Weight Chart by Age for Determining Malnutrition in Children under Five Years Old" issued by the Ministry of Health.

6. At least 90% of households use clean water and have bathrooms: At least 90% of households in the housing area or community have access to clean water and bathrooms meeting hygiene standards.

7. At least 80% of households have hygienic toilets: At least 80% of households in the housing area or community have hygienic toilets.

8. 100% of pregnant women receive at least one prenatal checkup, with over 85% receiving three or more: 100% of pregnant women in the housing area or community receive at least one prenatal checkup at healthcare facilities, with over 85% receiving three or more (first within the first three months, second within the middle three months, and third within the last three months of pregnancy).

9. Reduce accidents and injuries by at least 10% compared to the previous year:

Accidents resulting in injury or death are cases of fatality or bodily injury caused by traffic accidents, electric shock, burns, chemical poisoning, drowning, and other accidents.

Reduce by at least 10% the number of accidents resulting in injury within the neighborhood or residential area compared to the previous year.

10. Promote physical exercise and sports activities for health improvement:

The neighborhood or residential area has a Committee/person responsible for monitoring, guiding, and mobilizing many people to participate in various forms of physical exercise and sports such as:

Regularly practicing qigong, morning exercises, morning or evening walks.

Regularly organizing games and competitions in sports such as badminton, volleyball, table tennis, football, basketball, tennis, etc.

III. CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION OF HEALTHY VILLAGES AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS
(applicable to plains and midlands regions)

1. No outbreaks occur in the area: There are no outbreaks in the village or residential area during the year, confirmed by the competent health authority.

2. Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases compared to the previous year:

Infectious diseases causing outbreaks specified in Section I.1 of the Appendix.

Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases in the village or residential area compared to the previous year. If there were no infectious diseases in the area the previous year, then no new cases or deaths should occur in the current year under review.

3. Ensure that at least 95% of children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations:

Children under one year old are fully vaccinated according to the regulations set out in Section I.2 of this Appendix.

Ensure that at least 95% of children in the housing area or community are fully vaccinated and up-to-date with their schedules.

4. No food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people occur:

During the year, no food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people occur after consuming the same type of food.

5. Reduce the rate of malnutrition in children under five years old by at least 1.5% annually:

Reduce by at least 1.5% the prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years old in the village or residential area compared to the previous year. For provinces or cities with a malnutrition rate among children under 5 years old below 20%, the annual reduction rate may be lower.

Determine malnutrition in children based on the "Weight Chart by Age for Determining Malnutrition in Children under Five Years Old" issued by the Ministry of Health.

6. At least 80% of households use clean water and have bathrooms: In the village or residential area, at least 80% of households have access to clean water and bathrooms that meet hygiene standards.

7. At least 60% of households have sanitary toilets: In the village or residential area, at least 60% of households have sanitary toilets.

8. 100% pregnant women receive prenatal check-ups at least once, with over 75% receiving three or more check-ups during pregnancy: In the village or residential area, 100% of pregnant women receive at least one prenatal check-up at healthcare facilities, with over 75% receiving three or more check-ups.

9. Reduce accidents and injuries by at least 10% compared to the previous year:

Accidents resulting in injury are understood according to the concept defined in Section II.9 of the Appendix.

Reduce by at least 10% the number of accidents resulting in injury in the village or residential area compared to the previous year.

10. Promote physical exercise and sports activities for health improvement:

The village or residential area has a Committee/person responsible for monitoring, guiding, and mobilizing many people to participate in various forms of physical exercise and sports such as:

Regularly practicing qigong, morning exercises, morning or evening walks.

Regularly organizing games and competitions in sports such as badminton, volleyball, table tennis, football, basketball, tennis, etc.

IV. STANDARDS FOR RECOGNITION OF HEALTHY VILLAGES AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS
(applicable to mountainous regions)

1. No outbreaks occur in the area: There are no outbreaks in the village or residential area during the year, confirmed by the competent health authority.

2. Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases compared to the previous year:

Infectious diseases causing outbreaks specified in Section I.1 of the Appendix.

Reduce by at least 5% the incidence and mortality rate of certain common infectious diseases in the village or residential area compared to the previous year. If there were no infectious diseases in the area the previous year, then no new cases or deaths should occur in the current year under review.

3. Ensure that at least 90% of children under 1 year old are fully vaccinated according to regulations:

Children under 1 year old are fully vaccinated according to the provisions in Section I.2 of the Appendix.

Ensure that at least 90% of children in the neighborhood or residential area are fully vaccinated and on schedule.

4. No food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people occur: During the year, no food poisoning incidents involving more than 30 people occur after consuming the same type of food.

5. Reduce the rate of malnutrition in children under five years old by at least 1.5% annually:

Reduce by at least 1.5% the prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years old in the village or residential area compared to the previous year. For provinces or cities with a malnutrition rate among children under 5 years old below 20%, the annual reduction rate may be lower.

Determine malnutrition in children based on the "Weight Chart by Age for Determining Malnutrition in Children under Five Years Old" issued by the Ministry of Health.

6. At least 60% of households use clean water and have bathrooms: In the village or residential area, at least 60% of households have access to clean water and bathrooms that meet hygiene standards.

7. At least 50% of households have sanitary toilets: In the village or residential area, at least 50% of households have sanitary toilets.

8. 100% pregnant women receive prenatal check-ups at least once, with over 50% receiving three or more check-ups during pregnancy: In the village or residential area, 100% of pregnant women receive at least one prenatal check-up at healthcare facilities, with over 50% receiving three or more check-ups.

9. Reduce by 5-7% the number of accidents resulting in injury compared to the previous year: Accidents resulting in injury are understood according to the concept defined in Section II.9 of the Appendix.

Reduce by at least 5-7% the number of accidents resulting in injury in the village or residential area compared to the previous year.

10. Promote physical exercise and sports activities for health improvement:

The village or residential area has a Committee/person responsible for monitoring, guiding, and mobilizing many people to participate in various forms of physical exercise and sports such as:

Regularly practicing qigong, morning exercises, morning or evening walks.

Regularly organizing games and competitions in sports such as badminton, volleyball, table tennis, football, basketball, tennis, etc.