CIRCULAR

Regulations on the Awarding of the Dang Van Nu Prize in the Field of Preventive Medicine

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated June 14, 2005 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 16, 2013;

Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 75/2017/NĐ-CP dated June 20, 2017 stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

At the proposal of the Director of the Preventive Medicine Department, the Head of the Communication and Competition and Reward Department, Ministry of Health;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular regulating the awarding of the Dang Van Nu Prize in the field of preventive medicine.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the criteria, authority, procedures, files, rights, and responsibilities of organizations and individuals in the awarding of the Dang Van Nu Prize in the field of preventive medicine (hereinafter referred to as the Dang Van Nu Prize).

Article 2. Applicability

1. Organizations and individuals in the health sector with outstanding achievements in the field of preventive medicine:

a) Units under and affiliated to the Ministry of Health;

b) Provincial and municipal health departments under the central government and health departments of ministries and sectors;

c) Funds, Programs, Projects;

d) Private healthcare facilities;

đ) Departments, offices, bureaus, centers, and equivalent units under the organizations specified in points a, b, c, d, and e of this clause;

e) Other organizations operating in the health sector;

g) Civil servants, public officials, employees under labor contracts for at least one year at the organizations specified in points a, b, c, d, đ, and e of this clause.

2. Organizations and individuals outside the health sector

Domestic organizations and individuals; foreign organizations and individuals, overseas Vietnamese with outstanding achievements in the field of preventive medicine in Vietnam.

3. Other organizations and individuals related to the awarding of the Dang Van Nu Prize.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

The field of preventive medicine includes: Prevention and control of infectious diseases; border quarantine; prevention and control of non-communicable diseases; prevention and control of HIV/AIDS; vaccination, biosafety in laboratory testing; community nutrition; environmental health; school health; occupational health; accidents and injuries; prevention of risk factors to health; reproductive health care; health education communication; improving health and scientific research training in the field of preventive medicine.

Article 4. Time of Awarding

The Dang Van Nu Prize is awarded every three years and announced on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Heroic Laborer, Professor, Doctor Dang Van Nu on April 4.

Article 5. Principles of Awarding

1. Accurate compliance with the objects, criteria, and procedures stipulated in this Circular.

2. The Dang Van Nu Prize is awarded once to each organization or individual, or posthumously awarded once to each individual.

3. Accuracy, transparency, secret ballot, and majority decision.

4. The Ministry-level Council reviews and proposes based on the list of recommendations from the grassroots-level Council, based on voluntary registration or being introduced by an organization to participate in the awarding of the Prize.

5. No recommendation for the awarding of the Dang Van Nu Prize shall be made for organizations and individuals who are currently under the consideration of competent authorities for disciplinary action, administrative violation handling, or are under investigation, prosecution, trial; inspection, audit when there are signs of violations or complaints and denunciations that are being verified and clarified.

6. Priority is given to individuals who are direct workers, whose achievements were obtained under difficult conditions, and have a wide impact.

7. The maximum number of individuals and organizations to be awarded or posthumously awarded in one round of awarding shall not exceed 50 individuals and 10 organizations.

Article 6. Authority to confer awards

The authority to decide on conferring the Dang Van Ngu Award is vested in the Minister of Health based on the proposal of the Ministry-level Council.

Article 7. Benefits for organizations and individuals receiving the Award

Organizations and individuals receiving the Dang Van Ngu Award shall be entitled to:

1. A certificate of award issued by the Minister of Health according to Model No. 1 prescribed in Appendix No. 1 attached hereto.

2. An emblem of the Award according to Model No. 2 prescribed in Appendix No. 1 attached hereto.

3. A monetary award at the level specified by the Minister of Health for each time the award is conferred.

Article 8. Calculation of service period

1. For individuals working in the field of Preventive Medicine in Zones B, C, K; in the Southwestern Border Defense War, Northern Border Defense War, volunteer troops of Vietnam in Laos and Cambodia, and border and maritime areas, each year of service counts as one year and six months.

2. For individuals working in the field of Preventive Medicine in remote, mountainous, and particularly difficult areas as defined by the Government, each year of service counts as one year and two months.

3. In cases where individuals change positions or have interrupted periods of work in different regions, their service periods will be accumulated to meet the criteria for the award.

4. Periods of participation in long-term training courses not related to the field of Preventive Medicine lasting six months or more will not be counted towards the service period.

Chapter II
CRITERIA FOR CONFERING THE DANG VAN NGU AWARD

Article 9. Criteria for conferring the award to individuals

1. General Standards:

a) Loyalty to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, actively implementing the Party's policies and guidelines; State policies and laws;

b) Possessing noble medical ethics, being a model of dedication to the development of the Vietnamese Preventive Medicine sector.

2. Specific criteria for individuals in the health sector with outstanding achievements: Having innovative ideas, solutions, or remarkable contributions that have been effectively applied widely in the field of Preventive Medicine.

3. Specific criteria for individuals in the health sector with long-term contributions, having worked in the field of Preventive Medicine for twenty years or more and meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Being honored with the title of Excellent Doctor or Excellent Teacher or National Labor Medalist and subsequently receiving one commendation at the ministerial, provincial, or municipal level for preventive medicine work or two or more grassroots Labor Medalists;

b) Receiving one Commendation from the Prime Minister or three commendations at the ministerial, provincial, or municipal level related to the field of Preventive Medicine and having at least three scientific achievements such as participating in the compilation of specialized books; serving as the head, co-head, principal researcher, or secretary of a scientific research project, program, or project at the grassroots level or above; scientific and technological innovations, improvements to teaching materials, and training methods in the field of Preventive Medicine that have been widely adopted and recognized by competent authorities; serving as the head, deputy head, or regular member of the drafting committee, team leader, deputy team leader, or secretary of the drafting team or editorial board for regulations on preventive medicine;

c) Individuals who qualify for service period conversion under Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 8 of this Circular and have received two or more commendations at the ministerial, provincial, or municipal level related to the field of Preventive Medicine;

d) Individuals without managerial positions, direct workers, or those working in primary healthcare who have received one Commendation from the Prime Minister or three commendations at the ministerial, provincial, or municipal level for preventive medicine work.

4. Specific criteria for individuals outside the health sector and foreigners meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Individuals outside the health sector and foreigners making outstanding contributions in the field of Preventive Medicine in terms of technical expertise, communication, national defense, security, health education, community health protection, care, and improvement, recognized by the collective and highly regarded by the Minister of Health;

b) Individuals making significant material, financial, or spiritual contributions to the field of Preventive Medicine;

c) Foreigners making notable contributions to the field of Preventive Medicine;

d) Individuals demonstrating courageous actions or achieving exceptional results in preventing, controlling, and mitigating the consequences of epidemics.

Article 10. Criteria for awarding to organizations

1. General criteria: Implement well the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and regulations.

2. Specific criteria for organizations within the healthcare sector.

a) Having been awarded one Commendation Certificate from the Prime Minister or three commendation certificates at the ministry, provincial, or centrally governed city level or higher in the field of preventive healthcare;

b) Performing well in mobilizing organizations and individuals to participate in coordinating activities in the field of preventive healthcare.

3. Specific criteria for organizations outside the healthcare sector and foreign organizations meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving remarkable and outstanding results in the field of preventive healthcare in terms of professional technical expertise, communication, national defense, security, health education, community health protection, care, and enhancement, recognized by the collective and highly evaluated by the Minister of Health;

b) Making significant contributions in material, financial, and spiritual support for the field of preventive healthcare.

Chapter III
PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION FOR AWARDING

Article 11. The Council for Awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Prize

The Council for Awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Prize is organized into two levels: the grassroots council and the Ministry of Health council.

Article 12. Grassroots Council

1. The grassroots council is established at the Department of Health of provinces and centrally governed cities; subordinate units of the Ministry of Health; bureaus and general bureaus under the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Health agency (for awarding to departments, the Ministry’s Inspectorate, the Ministry’s Office, related professional associations under the Ministry of Health; organizations and individuals outside the healthcare sector; foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam, overseas Vietnamese at the central level); healthcare of ministries and sectors.

2. Composition of the Council:

The council consists of seven to nine members appointed by the head of the agency or organization specified in Clause 1 of this Article through a Decision on establishment, including:

a) The Chairman of the Council is the representative of the leadership of the agencies and organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) The Vice-Chairman of the Council is the person responsible for competition and commendation work in the agencies and organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

c) Members of the grassroots council are decided by the head of the agency or organization specified in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Tasks of the grassroots council:

a) Reviewing files, selecting, and recommending the Dang Van Nguyen Prize for organizations and individuals meeting the criteria;

b) Being responsible for the recommendation for awarding; implementing the awarding process at the grassroots level.

Article 13. Ministry-level Council

1. Composition of the Council:

The Ministry-level Council has nine to eleven members appointed by the Minister of Health through a Decision on establishment, including:

a) Chairperson of the Council: Leader of the Ministry of Health;

b) The Vice-Chairman of the Council: Director of the Preventive Healthcare Bureau; Head of the Communication and Competition, Commendation Bureau;

c) Members of the Council: President of the Vietnam Medical Association; Leaders of the Departments/Bureaus: Legal Affairs Department; Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Planning and Finance Department; Environmental Health Management Bureau; HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bureau; Science, Technology, and Training Bureau; Ministry of Health Inspectorate; Ministry of Health Office; Leaders of related agencies and units and experts in the field of preventive healthcare.

2. Tasks of the Ministry-level Council:

a) Reviewing files, selecting, and recommending the Dang Van Nguyen Prize for organizations and individuals meeting the conditions proposed by the grassroots councils;

b) Being responsible for the awarding process; implementing the awarding process at the Ministry level.

Article 14. Nomination Process

1. Institutional Council

a) Organizations and individuals under the General Department and Bureau under the Ministry of Health; subordinate units of the Ministry of Health shall submit nomination application forms to the Permanent Council Secretariat, which is the unit responsible for the State management function of commendation activities of that unit.

b) Organizations and individuals under the Department, Inspectorate, Office of the Ministry, and related professional associations under the Ministry of Health; organizations and individuals outside the health sector; organizations and individuals from foreign countries residing in Vietnam, Vietnamese citizens residing abroad at the central level shall submit nomination application forms to the Permanent Council Secretariat, which is the Office of the Ministry of Health.

c) Organizations and individuals under the Health Departments and Ministries shall submit nomination application forms to the Permanent Council Secretariat, which is the unit responsible for the State management function of health work of that department or ministry.

d) Organizations and individuals not covered by points a, b, and c of this clause shall submit nomination application forms to the Permanent Council Secretariat, which is the Health Department at the locality where the organization's headquarters or the individual's workplace is located.

2. The Central Council

Basic-level Councils shall submit complete files according to the provisions of this Circular to the Permanent Council Secretariat, which is the Preventive Medicine Department.

Article 15. Nomination Process at Units with Individuals and Organizations Requesting Nomination

1. During the year of nomination, heads of units shall be responsible for:

a) Organizing the public dissemination and announcement on the content and criteria for the Dang Van Nguyen Award on the unit’s website (if available) to all staff members.

b) Guiding the unit to nominate individuals and organizations meeting the nomination criteria.

c) Preparing a list and guiding nominated organizations and individuals to report achievements confirmed by the head of the unit.

2. Holding a full meeting of all civil servants, employees, and workers of the unit and conducting secret ballot voting. The meeting is valid if more than two-thirds of the civil servants, employees, and workers present vote, and the voting results are recorded in a protocol. Only those organizations and individuals receiving more than 50% approval votes among participants will be submitted to the basic-level council for consideration.

3. Publicly announcing the list of organizations and individuals who have received approval votes at the unit for at least seven working days for staff members to know and provide feedback, then compiling and submitting to the basic-level council for consideration.

4. All complaints and reports must be resolved according to the law before the basic-level council convenes.

5. Summarizing the results and sending the file to the basic-level council before July 1st of the preceding year of the award ceremony.

Article 16. Composition of Files Submitted to the Basic-Level Council

The files submitted to the basic-level council consist of three sets, each set including:

1. A submission letter of the unit according to Model 1a stipulated in Appendix 2 issued together with this Circular.

2. Achievement reports of organizations according to Model 1b and individuals according to Model 2a stipulated in Appendix 2 accompanying this Circular.

3. Related documents as prescribed in this Circular (certified copies), including:

a) Decisions or certificates conferring the titles of Excellent Doctor, Excellent Teacher, National Labor Medal; other commendations and awards relevant to these titles.

b) Certificates from competent authorities regarding inventions; decisions and acceptance protocols for scientific research projects; book covers indicating author and publisher.

c) Decisions establishing drafting committees, editorial teams, and normative legal documents signed by authorized authorities.

d) Confirmation documents from competent authorities or legal papers proving service time in battlefields B, C, K; border defense wars in the Southwest and North, volunteer troops in Laos and Cambodia, and border and maritime areas; remote, mountainous, and extremely difficult regions.

đ) Proposals from foreign organizations in Vietnam with individuals and organizations requesting nomination. Confirmations from the Minister of Health (through the International Cooperation Department) about the contributions and dedication of foreign organizations and individuals to Vietnam's preventive healthcare. Relevant documents and evidence of work and dedication of individuals working in foreign organizations in Vietnam.

e) Other related documents and materials.

4. Minutes of the meeting of civil servants, employees, and workers of the unit according to Model 1c, and tally sheets for organizations according to Model 1d and individuals according to Model 2b stipulated in Appendix 2 accompanying this Circular.

Article 17. Examination and Awarding Process at the Basic Level Council

1. Units with individuals or organizations meeting the conditions to establish files for examination and awarding as stipulated in Article 16 of this Circular shall submit such files to the Basic Level Council (through the Council's Standing Body).

2. The Standing Body of the grassroots Council shall perform the following tasks:

a) Propose the competent authority to decide on establishing the Basic Level Council for examining and awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Award;

b) Verify the validity of the documents in the file; receive and compile feedback and recommendations from organizations and individuals (if any), and report to the competent authority for handling;

c) Compile and prepare a list of organizations and individuals proposed for examination and awarding, and send relevant documents to the members of the Council and organize meetings of the Council;

d) Compile results and submit the file to the Ministry-level Council before August 15th of the year preceding the year of awarding.

3. The grassroots Council shall perform the following tasks:

a) The Council convenes a meeting and conducts secret ballot voting to select organizations and individuals who meet the criteria for examination and awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Award. Organizations and individuals receiving 80% or more votes of agreement from the total number of Council members as decided upon shall be included in the list to be submitted to the Ministry-level Council for consideration. In cases where Council members are absent, the Council's Standing Body will collect opinions through ballots;

b) Publicly announce the list of selected results by posting it at the headquarters of the location where the Council's Standing Body is located within seven working days.

Article 18. Composition of Files Submitted to the Ministry-level Council

The files submitted to the Ministry-level Council consist of two sets, each set including:

1. A proposal from the Basic Level Council according to Model No. 1d specified in Appendix No. 2 attached to this Circular.

2. Minutes of the meeting of the Basic Level Council according to Model No. 1e specified in Appendix No. 2 attached to this Circular.

3. Minutes of the vote verification of the Basic Level Council for organizations according to Model No. 1g and for individuals according to Model No. 2d specified in Appendix No. 2 attached to this Circular.

4. Relevant files as prescribed in Article 16 of this Circular.

Article 19. Examination and Awarding Process at the Ministry-level Council

1. The Standing Body of the Ministry-level Council performs the following tasks:

a) Propose the Minister to decide on establishing the Ministry-level Council for examining and awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Award;

b) Verify the validity of the documents in the file;

c) Compile and prepare a list of organizations and individuals proposed for examination and awarding, and send relevant documents to the members of the Council and organize meetings of the Council.

2. The Ministry-level Council performs the following tasks:

a) Convene a meeting and conduct secret ballot voting to select organizations and individuals who meet the criteria for examination and awarding the Dang Van Nguyen Award. Organizations and individuals receiving 80% or more votes of agreement from the total number of Council members as decided upon shall be included in the list to be submitted to the Minister for decision. In cases where Council members are absent, the Council's Standing Body will collect opinions through ballots;

b) Publicly announce the results of the selection on the Ministry of Health's electronic portal within ten working days;

3. The Standing Body of the Council completes the file for submission to the Minister of Health for consideration and signing the Decision to award the Dang Van Nguyen Award (Proposal according to Model No. 3a, Minutes of the Ministry-level Council meeting according to Model 3b, Minutes of the organization's vote verification according to Model 3c, Minutes of the individual's vote verification according to Model 3d in Appendix No. 2 attached to this Circular).

Article 20. Timeframe for Examination and Awarding at the Ministry-level Council

1. The verification of the file must be completed before October 1st of the year preceding the year of awarding.

2. The Ministry-level Council meeting to examine and vote must be held before November 15th of the year preceding the year of awarding.

3. The completion of the file, procedures, and submission to the Minister for decision must be completed before January 1st of the year of awarding.

Article 21. Organization of the Award Announcement and Presentation Ceremony

1. After the Minister of Health issues a decision to award the Prize, the Standing Board shall submit to the Minister of Health for consideration and decision on organizing the Award announcement and presentation ceremony.

2. The Award presentation ceremony must be organized solemnly, economically, and effectively.

3. The Prize shall be widely publicized through mass media.

Chapter IV
DANG VAN NHU AWARD FUNDS

Article 22. Sources of funds

1. The funds for awarding the Prize shall be sourced from the state budget, socialized sources, and other lawful funding sources.

2. No fees shall be collected from organizations and individuals being considered for the Prize under any form.

Article 23. Contents of Expenditure

1. Developing and implementing the selection plan of the Council.

2. Reviewing nomination files for award consideration.

3. Organizing meetings of the Board.

4. Implementing communication activities regarding the awarding of the Prize.

5. Organizing the award presentation ceremony.

6. Printing and photographing materials for selection purposes; Certificates of receipt; certificate frames; Award emblems;

7. Prize money.

8. Other activities as prescribed.

Article 24. Principles of Use

1. The Standing Board at the Ministry level shall be responsible for preparing the budget for the Prize awarding process in the year of implementation, submitting it to the Minister of Health for review, allocation of funds, and approval of expenditure items.

2. Management and use of funds for the Prize awarding process and promotional activities shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations.

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 25. Implementation organization

1. The Prize awarding Board at the Ministry level:

a) Shall perform tasks as stipulated in this Circular;

b) Shall base on the degree of violation of organizations and individuals to submit to the Minister of Health for consideration and recommendation to revoke or cancel the award results for organizations and individuals found to have engaged in fraudulent behavior during the award process or violated other laws affecting the image and reputation of the Prize, and publicly announce on mass media.

2. The Preventive Medicine Department, as the Standing Board, shall be responsible for guiding, reviewing, and compiling files of organizations and individuals according to the award criteria specified in this Circular for submission to the Ministry-level Prize awarding Board for examination and organization of the awarding process.

3. The Department of Communication and Competition, Awards: Shall coordinate in guiding and inspecting the implementation of the Prize awarding process in preventive medicine; Coordinate in reviewing and compiling files of organizations and individuals applying for the award for submission to the Ministry-level Prize awarding Board for examination.

4. The grassroots-level Prize awarding Board shall be responsible for award proposals within its authority.

5. Organizations and individuals applying for the award shall be responsible for the accuracy of their application files.

Article 26. Effective date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 1, 2021.

2. Repeal Decision No. 5089/QD-BYT dated September 21, 2016 of the Minister of Health promulgating the Regulations on awarding the Dang Van Nhu Prize in the field of preventive medicine from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 27. Cross-referencing Provisions

In cases where the referenced documents in this document are replaced or amended, implementation shall be in accordance with the replacement or amended document.

Article 28. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Preventive Medicine Department, the Director of the Department of Communication and Competition, Awards, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Health, Directors of Health Departments of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and Heads of health units of ministries, sectors, and related agencies and organizations shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

During the implementation process, if there are difficulties or obstacles, units shall report to the Ministry of Health (Preventive Medicine Department) for review and resolution./.