Circular No. 39/2015/TT-BYT stipulates the standards, uniforms, and cards for individuals assigned to perform inspection tasks and specialized health duties.

CIRCULAR

PROVISIONS ON STANDARDS, UNIFORMS AND BADGES OF PERSONS ASSIGNED TO PERFORM HEALTH INSPECTION DUTIES

Pursuant to the Inspection Law No. 56/2010/QH12 dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 07/2012/ND-CP dated February 9, 2012 of the Government stipulating the agencies entrusted with the function of specialized inspection and specialized inspection activities;

This Circular prescribes procedures for receiving, providing health care for domestic violence victims and statistical reports on domestic violence victims at medical facilities.

Pursuant to Decree No. 122/2014/ND-CP dated December 25, 2014 of the Government on the organization and operation of health inspection;

At the proposal of the Inspector General of the Ministry,

The Minister of Health issues this Circular stipulating regarding standards, uniforms and badges of persons assigned to perform health inspection duties.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the standards, uniforms and badges of persons assigned to perform health inspection duties (hereinafter referred to collectively as specialized health inspection officials) of the General Administration, Departments under the Ministry of Health, and District Health Services under provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees (hereinafter referred to collectively as Provincial Health Services) assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to specialized health inspection officials, heads of Departments and General Administrations under the Ministry of Health, and District Health Services assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions.

Chapter II

STANDARDS FOR SPECIALIZED HEALTH INSPECTION OFFICIALS

Article 3. Standards for specialized health inspection officials

Specialized health inspection officials belonging to the establishment of the General Administration, Departments under the Ministry of Health assigned to perform specialized inspection tasks, and District Health Services assigned to perform specialized inspection functions must meet the following specific standards:

1. Meeting the standards prescribed in Article 12 of Decree No. 07/2012/ND-CP dated February 9, 2012 of the Government on agencies assigned to perform specialized inspection functions and specialized inspection activities.

2. Having a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field relevant to the specialized inspection tasks assigned.

3. Holding a certificate in specialized inspection training.

Article 4. Assignment of specialized health inspection duties

1. The Director of the General Administration, the Directors of Departments under the Ministry of Health, and the Directors of District Health Services decide on the assignment of specialized health inspection duties to officials within their units.

2. Documents and procedures for assigning specialized health inspection duties:

Officials meeting the standards set out in Article 3 of this Circular shall be issued a decision by the competent authority assigning officials to perform specialized health inspection duties according to the following documents and procedures:

a) Documents include:

- A resume of the official in accordance with regulations;

- A copy of the bachelor’s degree or higher diploma in a relevant field (accompanied by the original for verification);

- A copy of the specialized inspection training certificate (accompanied by the original for verification).

b) Assignment procedures:

Within seven working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents, the Director of the General Administration, the Director of the Department, and the Director of the District Health Service shall issue a decision assigning officials to perform specialized health inspection duties within their units.

Chapter III

UNIFORMS FOR SPECIALIZED HEALTH INSPECTION OFFICIALS

Article 5. Uniform standards and service life

1. Specialized health inspection officials are provided with uniforms, including: Cap, insignia, shoulder straps, rank badges, winter clothing, overcoat, long-sleeved shirt, short-sleeved summer clothing, leather belt, leather shoes, backstrap sandals, socks, tie, raincoat, and file case.

2. Management, issuance, and service life of uniforms for specialized health inspection officials shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance and the Government Inspectorate on the management and issuance of uniforms for inspectors, cadres, civil servants, and staff working at state inspection agencies.

3. Persons provided with uniforms for use when performing official duties, on holidays, and on traditional days shall be responsible for maintaining and preserving uniforms in accordance with state regulations; it is strictly prohibited to misuse uniforms for improper purposes or for personal gain.

Article 6. Inspection Badge for the Health Sector

1. The badge is the emblem of inspection for the health sector, to be affixed on the Kepi cap, shirt collar, and shoulder. The design of the inspection badge for the health sector is specified in Appendix I attached hereto.

2. The inspection badge for the health sector is circular, featuring two concentric rings, with a yellow block in the center depicting a sword hilt pointing upwards, flanked by two coiled snakes. Below the sword hilt and the snakes is the white text "THANH TRA Y TE" printed on a red shield symbol, viewed vertically, and an open book symbol. Above this is the text "Ministry of Health" or "Department of Health" in yellow, surrounded by two golden ears of rice on a blue circular background. All elements of the model are made of stainless metal, embossed with circles, letters, and the emblem of the health sector inspection.

a) Badge affixed on the Kepi cap: The badge on the Kepi cap has a diameter of 35 mm, affixed alongside two golden pine branches on both sides.

b) Badge affixed on the shirt collar:

The badge on the shirt collar is made of dark gray synthetic fabric (for leaders of the General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health, it is made of velvet), rectangular in shape with dimensions of 55 mm x 35 mm, with a badge diameter of 18 mm affixed in the middle.

c) Badge affixed on the shoulder: Embroidered with dark gray synthetic fabric, shield-shaped with a width of 70 mm and height of 90 mm. In the center, embroidered is the health inspection badge with a diameter of 35 mm. Around the shield is a gold velvet border measuring 1.5 mm wide.

3. Badges affixed on the cap and shirt collar must have screws or pins to ensure secure attachment; badges affixed on the shoulder must be sewn directly onto the garment. The lines and characters on the badge must be clear and legible.

Article 7. Rank Badge for the Health Sector Inspection

1. The rank badge for the health sector inspection is affixed on both shoulder straps to distinguish the positions of leaders of the General Department, Departments under the Ministry of Health, and leaders of Divisions under the General Department, leaders of Departments under the Departments, leaders of Districts, leaders of Departments under Districts, and health sector inspectors when performing duties. The design of the rank badge for the health sector inspection is specified in Appendix II attached hereto.

2. The rank badge for the health sector inspection, affixed on the shoulder strap, is made of synthetic fabric (velvet for leaders of the General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health) in dark gray, measuring 120 mm in length, with the outer end being 50 mm wide, the inner end being 40 mm wide, and the sharp end slanting 18 mm, surrounded by a silver border (gold metal border for leaders of the General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health) measuring 1.5 mm wide. Horizontal stripes made of silver metal measuring 5 mm wide, spaced 5 mm apart, with a metal button at the inner end embossed with a star in silver or gold for leaders of the General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health. The number of stars and horizontal stripes representing specific ranks and levels of health sector inspectors are as follows:

a) Silver metal stars represent the specialist rank:

- Specialist or equivalent (Class C civil servant): 1 star.

- Senior Specialist or equivalent (Class B civil servant): 2 stars.

- Senior Specialist (Class A civil servant): 3 stars.

b) Horizontal stripes made of silver metal represent positions according to the level of specialists, leaders of Departments under Districts, leaders of Districts, leaders of Departments under Departments, and leaders of Divisions under the General Department:

- Health sector inspectors under Districts: No horizontal stripes.

- Health sector inspectors under Departments and the General Department and leaders of Departments under Districts: 1 horizontal stripe.

- Leaders of Districts, leaders of Divisions under the General Department, and leaders of Departments under Departments: 2 horizontal stripes.

c) The rank badge for leaders of the General Department and leaders of Departments is made of dark gray velvet, surrounded by a gold border, with a gold star affixed in the center, the number of stars specified in Point a, Clause 2, of this Article.

Article 8. Inspection Badge for Specialized Health Inspection

1. The specialized health inspection badge is used by civil servants performing specialized health inspection duties when carrying out their official responsibilities. The model of the specialized health inspection badge is specified in Appendix III attached to this Circular.

2. The specialized health inspection badge is made from metal material with a dark gray surface, yellow letters, using Times New Roman font covered entirely with mica, measuring 20 mm x 80 mm. On the left side, there is a Health Inspection emblem measuring 15 mm x 15 mm. The remaining part measuring 20 mm x 60 mm is arranged as follows: the top displays the name of the agency assigned to perform specialized inspection functions, in size 11, all capital letters; in the middle, there is a line displaying the full name of the civil servant, in size 12, all capital letters and bold; at the bottom, it shows the position or rank, in size 10, all capital letters.

3. Position of the badge: The badge is worn on the left chest pocket flap. The lower edge of the specialized health inspection civil servant's badge should be adjacent to the upper edge of the chest pocket flap.

When wearing medals on the left chest, the badge shall be worn on the right chest.

Article 9. Uniforms for Specialized Health Inspectors

The uniforms for specialized health inspectors include:

- Cap (Kepi), according to the model specified in Appendix III attached to this Circular.

- Shirt, pants, tie, according to the model specified in Appendix IV attached to this Circular.

1. Cap (Kepi):

The top of the cap is dark gray, and the brim of the cap is lined with fabric of the same color as the cap. The peak of the cap has the same overall color as the top of the cap, with the specialized inspection emblem in the center. Above the brim of the cap, there are two yellow ribbon strips connected to two gold-covered buttons.

2. Spring-Summer Clothing:

a) Fabric Color: Light Gray.

b) Style:

- Women's clothing: A reporter-style shirt with a German collar, short sleeves; the front has one left breast pocket, two box pockets with flaps, five buttons, and four back pieces. Pants have straight legs without pleats, two diagonal pockets, and a waistband of 4 cm.

- Men's clothing: A reporter-style shirt with a German collar, short sleeves; the front has one left breast pocket, two box pockets with flaps, five buttons, and a back piece with a slit. Pants have straight legs with one pleat, two diagonal pockets, one back patch pocket, and a waistband of 4 cm.

3. Autumn-Winter Clothing:

a) Fabric Color: Dark Gray.

b) Style:

- Women's clothing: A vest-style jacket with a two-piece collar, large French cuffs fastened with one button, shoulder straps for insignia; the front has one left breast pocket, two cuff pockets, three-button rounded cuffs, and a back piece with a slit. The inner shirt is a long-sleeved white shirt. Pants have straight legs without pleats, two diagonal pockets, one back patch pocket, and a waistband of 4 cm.

- Men's clothing: A vest-style jacket with a two-piece collar, shoulder straps for insignia, large French cuffs fastened with one button; the front has one left breast pocket, two patch pockets, four-button straight cuffs, and a back piece with a slit and a rear vent. The inner shirt is a long-sleeved white shirt. Pants have straight legs with one pleat, two diagonal pockets, one back patch pocket, and a waistband of 4 cm.

4. Winter Overcoat:

a) Fabric Color: Dark Gray.

b) Style:

- Women's overcoat: A long coat reaching 5 cm above the knee, with a two-piece collar, straight cuffs; the front has one left breast pocket, two diagonal pockets, and three buttons; the back has a back piece with a slit.

- Men's overcoat: A long coat reaching 5 cm above the knee, with a two-piece collar, straight cuffs; the front has one left breast pocket, two diagonal pockets, and three buttons; the back has a back piece with a slit and a rear vent.

The overcoat is worn over the vest when it is very cold.

5. Tie matches the tone of the pants and vest but is darker. Backless sandals, black leather belt, and black leather shoes, dark gray socks.

Article 10. Funding for manufacturing, purchasing uniforms and printing inspection officers' cards in the health sector specialized field

1. Inspection officers in the health sector specialized field who belong to the General Department, Department, or Branch shall be guaranteed funding from the State budget by their respective General Department, Department, or Branch.

2. Annually, the General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health, Branches under the Provincial Health Services shall prepare budgets for funding. The General Department and Departments under the Ministry of Health shall submit these budgets to the Planning and Finance Department for consolidation and submission to the Minister for approval and allocation of funds for the manufacture and purchase of uniforms for inspection officers in the health sector specialized field, which will be included in the annual state budget allocation. Branches shall submit their budgets to the Director of the Provincial Health Service for approval and allocation of funds for the manufacture and purchase of uniforms for inspection officers in the health sector specialized field, which will be included in the annual state budget allocation.

3. Funding for issuing inspection officer cards in the health sector specialized field to be provided to inspection officers in the health sector specialized field shall be prepared by the Ministry of Health and Provincial Health Services based on the proposals of the Health Inspection Department of the Ministry of Health and the Health Inspection Department of the Provincial Health Service.

Chapter IV

INSPECTION OFFICER CARDS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR SPECIALIZED FIELD

Article 11. Inspection Officer Cards in the Health Sector Specialized Field

1. The inspection officer card in the health sector specialized field establishes the legal status for inspection officers in the health sector specialized field to use when performing their inspection duties and powers as prescribed by law.

2. The inspection officer card in the health sector specialized field must clearly indicate the name of the General Department or Department under the Ministry of Health; Branch under the Provincial Health Service managing and using the inspection officers; photograph, full name, position of the inspection officer; card number; name of the agency and the authorized person issuing the card.

3. The Health Inspection Department of the Ministry of Health is responsible for providing card blanks; the Health Inspection Department of the Provincial Health Service, General Department, and Departments under the Ministry of Health, Branches under the Provincial Health Service are responsible for managing the card blanks for inspection officers in the health sector specialized field.

Article 12. Sample of Inspection Officer Card in the Health Sector Specialized Field

The card is rectangular, measuring 60 mm wide and 90 mm long, consisting of two sides made of hard paper laminated with plastic (or hard plastic). The front side is dark blue with the logo of the Health Inspection printed at the top, in red bold font size 11, and below it is the phrase "Health Inspection Officer Card" in red bold font size 12. The back side is off-white with the Health Inspection logo embossed in the center of the card, with text in Times New Roman font (Unicode standard TCVN 6909:2001). The sample of the inspection officer card in the health sector specialized field is specified in Appendix V issued together with this Circular. The following information is recorded on the back of the card:

1. National Emblem comprising 02 lines: “SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM” in the first row, font size 7, bold, all caps and "INDEPENDENCE - FREEDOM - HAPPINESS" in the second row, font size 8, bold, regular case, black color. 2. Name

(recorded in the third row): all caps, font size 10, bold, red color. INSPECTION OFFICER CARDS IN THE HEALTH SECTOR SPECIALIZED FIELD 3. Card Number (recorded in the fourth row) is defined with the first letter capitalized, followed by the code of the Ministry of Health or Provincial Health Service, then the serial number of the inspection officer in the health sector specialized field receiving the card, font size 8, black color.

4. Full name of the inspection officer in the health sector specialized field (recorded in the fifth row): regular case, font size 9, black color, bold, with the first letter capitalized.

5. Position or rank appointed to the inspection officer in the health sector specialized field (recorded in the sixth row): regular case, font size 9, black color.

6. Name of the agency managing and using the inspection officer in the health sector specialized field (recorded in the seventh row): all caps, font size 9, bold, black color.

7. Place and date of issuance of the card (recorded in the eighth row): regular case, italic, font size 8, black color.

8. Title of the person issuing the card (recorded in the ninth row): all caps, font size 7, bold, black color.

9. Full name of the person issuing the card (recorded in the tenth row): regular case, with the first letter capitalized, font size 8, bold, black color.

10. Color photo measuring 2 x 3 cm of the person receiving the card located at the lower left corner of the card.

11. Health Inspection logo printed in color according to regulations at the upper left corner of the card.

11. The health inspection emblem shall be printed in color at the top left position on the card in accordance with the prescribed regulations.

Article 13. Responsibilities in issuing, managing, and using specialized health inspection official cards

1. The Ministry of Health Inspectorate shall be responsible for:

a) Serving as the focal point to assist the Minister of Health in issuing specialized health inspection official cards to the General Departments and Departments under the Ministry of Health;

b) Managing card blanks, managing records of issuance of specialized health inspection official cards; maintaining registers for new issuance, reissuance, and replacement of specialized health inspection official cards;

c) Receiving returned cards, cutting corners off returned cards, and damaged cards that are no longer usable. Damaged cards or those with cut corners must be kept in the issuance record;

d) Monitoring, inspecting, and supervising the issuance, distribution, use, management, and recovery of cards.

2. The Inspectorate of the Department of Health shall be responsible for:

a) Serving as the focal point to assist the Director of the Department of Health in issuing specialized health inspection official cards to Centers under the Department of Health;

b) Fulfilling responsibilities as stipulated in Points b, c, and d of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. General Departments and Departments under the Ministry of Health, Centers under the Department of Health shall be responsible for:

a) Directly managing the official cards of specialized health inspectors within their jurisdiction;

b) Proposing new issuance, reissuance, and replacement of specialized health inspection official cards according to regulations;

c) Recovering and submitting to the Ministry of Health or the Department of Health (through the Ministry of Health Inspectorate or the Department of Health Inspectorate) when the official card of a specialized health inspector is damaged; when the inspector transfers jobs, retires, resigns, dies, or no longer performs specialized health inspection tasks.

4. Specialized health inspectors:

a) Shall be issued specialized health inspection official cards by the Minister of Health or the Director of the Department of Health to use when performing inspection duties;

b) Shall present the specialized health inspection official card when performing duties and public service;

c) Shall keep and use the specialized health inspection official card properly;

d) If losing the card, must immediately report to the head of the agency assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions.

Article 14. Records and Procedures for Issuing, Reissuing, Replacing, and Recovering Specialized Health Inspection Official Cards

1. Forms of issuing specialized health inspection official cards include:

a) New issuance of cards: When a civil servant is assigned by an authorized agency to perform specialized health inspection duties;

b) Reissuance of cards: In cases where the card is lost and confirmed by an authorized agency or there was an error during the issuance process;

c) Replacement of cards: In cases where the card is damaged, the card number changes, the name of the agency assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions changes, or when there are new regulations on card models;

d) Recovery of cards: In cases where the inspector dies, retires, resigns, transfers jobs, or no longer performs specialized health inspection duties.

2. Application forms for issuing cards:

a) New issuance application forms include:

- Decision of the authorized body assigning the civil servant to perform specialized health inspection duties (certified true copy);

- A letter requesting issuance from the agency assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions;

- Two recent photographs measuring 2 cm x 3 cm with a white background, showing the face straight-on of the civil servant applying for the card, clearly marked with full name and unit on the back of the photograph and on the envelope containing the photographs.

b) Replacement application forms include:

As specified in Point a, Clause 2 of this Article, along with the previously issued specialized health inspection official card to be cut at the corner and canceled.

c) Reissuance application forms include:

As specified in Point a, Clause 2 of this Article, along with a request for reissuance from the specialized health inspector, and a confirmation from the authorized agency in case of loss of the card.

d) Recovery application forms include:

- A letter from the agency assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions requesting the authorized agency to recover the card;

- Documentation proving that the civil servant no longer performs specialized health inspection duties, has resigned, died, retired, or transferred jobs, along with the card to be recovered.

3. Procedures for issuing, reissuing, replacing, and recovering cards:

a) The Ministry of Health Inspectorate: Review applications for new issuance, reissuance, replacement, and recovery of specialized health inspection official cards submitted by General Departments and Departments under the Ministry of Health when the applications are complete and valid, submit to the Minister of Health for signature and issuance;

b) The Department of Health Inspectorate: Review applications for new issuance, reissuance, replacement, and recovery of specialized health inspection official cards submitted by Centers under the Department of Health when the applications are complete and valid, submit to the Director of the Department of Health for issuance;

c) General Departments, Departments under the Ministry of Health, and Centers under the Department of Health have the responsibility to:

- Compile lists of civil servants assigned by authorized bodies to perform specialized health inspection duties and propose new issuance, reissuance, replacement, and recovery of specialized health inspection official cards to the Minister of Health or the Director of the Department of Health through the Ministry of Health Inspectorate or the Department of Health Inspectorate;

- Complete application forms as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 15. Implementation Provisions

This Circular takes effect from December 28, 2015.

Article 16. Transitional Provisions

In cases where the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, replaced, or abolished, they shall be applied according to the amended, supplemented, replaced, or abolished documents.

Article 17. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Head of the Ministry of Health Inspectorate, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Health; Directors of Departments of Health, Heads of Departments of Health Inspectorate, and Chiefs of Centers under Departments of Health of provinces and centrally-administered cities; specialized health inspectors and related organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. Annually, based on the standards for specialized health inspectors, the General Department Director and Directors of Departments under the Ministry of Health shall compile lists of specialized health inspectors and report to the Minister of Health and the Head of the Ministry of Health Inspectorate; Chiefs of Centers under Departments of Health shall compile lists of specialized health inspectors and report to the Director of the Department of Health and the Head of the Department of Health Inspectorate.

3. During implementation, if difficulties arise, Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Health, Directors of Departments of Health, and Heads of agencies assigned to perform specialized health inspection functions shall promptly reflect these issues to the Ministry of Health (Inspectorate) for review and resolution.