Circular guiding the design of Commune Health Stations, Ward Health Stations, and Special Administrative Zones Health Stations

CIRCULAR

Guidelines on the Design of Commune Health Stations, Ward Health Stations, and Special Administrative Economic Zones Health Stations

Pursuant to Resolution No. 262/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly approving the investment policy for the National Target Program on Health Care, Population, and Development for the period 2026-2035;

Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2025/NĐ-CP of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

On the proposal of the Director of the Medical Infrastructure and Equipment Department;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular guiding the design of Commune Health Stations, Ward Health Stations, and Special Administrative Economic Zones Health Stations.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular guides the design of Commune Health Stations, Ward Health Stations, and Special Administrative Economic Zones Health Stations (hereinafter referred to collectively as Commune Health Stations).

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the process of drafting, reviewing, and approving the design of Commune Health Stations using funds from the National Target Program on Health Care, Population, and Development for the period 2026-2035 and other lawful sources.

Article 3. Definitions

1Functional Chain means the sequence of organizing functional spaces and the relationship between activities to ensure continuous, rational, and efficient operation processes.

2. Multi-functional Space is a space designed to serve various activities at different times while still meeting usage requirements.

3. Multi-functional Space Complex involves arranging and connecting multiple functional zones that have professional or operational relationships within the same area.

4. Flow Management refers to organizing separate movement routes for patients, healthcare staff, medicines, supplies, waste, and other objects to ensure safety and operational efficiency.

Article 4. Guidelines for Designing Commune Health Stations

1. Guidelines for designing Commune Health Stations are detailed in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

2. Principles for Applying the Design of Commune Health Stations

a) The design guidelines specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall be applied to the construction, upgrading, expansion, and renovation of Commune Health Stations to ensure compliance with the functions and tasks approved by competent authorities;

b) Meeting conditions and adapting to local realities including population size, geographical characteristics, natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, and specific features of each locality;

c) Ensuring adaptability to climate change and natural disasters; prioritizing solutions to combat heat, typhoons, flooding, energy conservation, and efficiency in accordance with local natural conditions;

d) Possessing the capability for expansion, flexibility, and adaptability during use; allowing adjustments to supplement and expand the scale of professional operations and handle urgent medical situations;

đ) The design of health facilities within Commune Health Stations must comply with actual usage needs, professional activity requirements, transportation conditions, service accessibility, and existing infrastructure;

e) Standards and norms for the use of working areas serving the roles of positions, common usage areas, and public works areas of Commune Health Stations shall be implemented according to Decree No. 155/2025/NĐ-CP on standards and norms for the use of office premises and public works under the management of the Ministry of Health, Circular No. 07/2026/TT-BYT detailing and guiding standards and norms for the use of public works areas in the field of health under the management of the Ministry of Health and the delegation of authority to approve specialized area standards and public works area standards in the field of health under the management of the Ministry of Health, and relevant laws.

Article 5. Effective Date

1. This Circular shall take effect from July 1, 2026.

2. Circular No. 32/2021/TT-BYT guiding the basic design of Commune Health Stations, Ward Health Stations, and Town Health Stations shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 6. Transitional Provisions

1. For the design of commune health stations that have not yet been approved, it shall be implemented according to the guidance provided in this Circular.

2. For the design of commune health stations that have been approved before the effective date of this Circular, the investment decision-maker shall review and assess to decide on adjustments in accordance with the guidance provided in this Circular, the Investment Law, the Construction Law, the Public Asset Management and Usage Law, and other relevant laws, ensuring investment effectiveness, minimizing new occurrences, avoiding losses and waste.

Article 7. References

In cases where the legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by other legal normative documents, they shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of those amended, supplemented, or replacing documents.

Article 8. Implementation Organization

1. The Director of the Ministry's Office, the Director of the Medical Infrastructure and Equipment Department, the Director of the Planning and Finance Department, the Directors of other Departments and Bureaus under the Ministry of Health, the Heads of units directly under the Ministry of Health; the Heads of units and organizations, individuals related to this Circular shall be responsible for its implementation.

2. People's Committees at all levels shall direct the deployment and organization of implementation of this Circular in their respective localities.

During the process of implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, the relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Health (Medical Infrastructure and Equipment Department) for consideration and resolution./.