Every priest in Vietnam is to be offered a free medical check-up in a new program launched by Caritas.

"It has been introduced because many priests work hard and don’t make time to visit the hospital," said Father Anthony Nguyen Ngoc Son, Caritas Vietnam secretary general.

"Others may have illnesses but go without a check-up until they are found to be serious or even in the final stages [of a disease]. Also, few dioceses buy health insurance for their priests or cover their medical costs."

The program, which started on June 11 and will run to the end of the year, will operate at two Catholic-run clinics in Ho Chi Minh City as well as state-run hospitals throughout the country.

The check-ups will include X-rays, ultrasound scans, blood tests and urine tests. Potential for stroke, diabetes, heart and prostate problems – conditions which have a high incidence among priests – will be assessed. Priests will also be offered advice on healthy lifestyles.

The cost of the program is estimated at around 550 million dong (US$26,500).

This is the first time Caritas Vietnam has been able to offer check-ups since it reopened in 2008, after a 32 year government ban.

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