The Ministry of Health has recently issued Circular 30/2023/TT-BYT, which outlines 50 disease categories and health conditions that are eligible for remote diagnosis and treatment. This circular covers nearly 20 medical specialties, allowing for remote healthcare services without direct patient contact.

Among the eligible specialties, endocrinology can remotely diagnose and treat obesity, while otorhinolaryngology is permitted for conditions like acute pharyngitis, chronic pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Musculoskeletal disorders, including neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, inflammatory joint diseases, and spinal degeneration, are also part of the list.

Remote diagnosis and treatment are available for cancer patients post-treatment, as well as for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, thyroid disorders, and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease. Neurological and psychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, mental disorders, tension headaches, vestibular disorders, migraine, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s, can also be diagnosed and treated remotely.

Infectious diseases like dengue fever without warning signs, influenza, COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS are included, along with dermatology conditions covering viral skin diseases, allergic and immune skin diseases, bacterial skin diseases, and fungal-parasitic skin diseases. Other specialties such as ophthalmology, functional rehabilitation, digestive, and respiratory systems are also allowed for remote diagnosis and treatment.

Effective from January 1, 2024, under the Health Examination and Treatment Law 2023, remote diagnosis and treatment involve healthcare practitioners using devices and information technology without direct patient contact. These practitioners must adhere to professional standards, comply with the list of diseases and health conditions, and take responsibility for diagnostic results, treatment processes, and prescription of medications.

The list of 50 diseases is the initial issuance for 2023, and the Ministry of Health plans to add new diseases to the list based on actual deployment and the needs of patients and healthcare facilities in the future. The telemedicine project, initiated by the Ministry of Health in 2020, aims to ensure access to quality healthcare services, including medical counseling, remote diagnosis, and expert support from local to central healthcare levels.