|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Vietnam and Australia have agreed to cooperate on digital healthcare by advancing healthcare systems and health security. The collaboration focussed on shifting toward a patient-centred care model through the adoption of digital health solutions, with a particular emphasis on primary healthcare.
An event was held by the Vietnam Military-Civil Medicine Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health’s Health Strategy and Policy Institute and Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology. It offered a platform to facilitate a dialogue on the opportunities, challenges, and necessary conditions for the two countries to evolve their healthcare systems.
At the event, researchers and experts in the field of digital health and healthcare shared policies, strategies, initiatives, and experiences in applying digital technologies in the health sector. They exchanged insights on the development and implementation of digital health applications, the management of health-related data, the use of internet resources for telemedicine, and the digitisation of primary healthcare.
Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for industry professionals to introduce their Industry 4.0 technology products, data analysis systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Addressing the conference, Vietnamese Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan emphasised that the country’s healthcare sector has embraced a variety of information technology (IT) applications and digital transformation projects. They aim to protect, nurture, and improve the overall health and well-being of the population.
For instance, last year, the Ministry of Health launched a project for remote medical examinations and treatments to improve the professional capacities of healthcare facilities at the grassroots level. It also helped in the dissemination of expertise and medical knowledge from central-level hospitals to both the public and healthcare workers nationwide.
Thuan called for the digitisation of all healthcare-related information about the workforce, resources, licensing, and registration procedures. This transition should be accompanied by a strong commitment to maintaining the security and safety of the cyber environment, he said.
Pham Le Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Military-Civil Medicine Association, viewed the conference as the start of fostering collaboration between Vietnamese and Australian scientists and experts. Their efforts will help Vietnam formulate a national action plan on digital transformation for healthcare.
In Vietnam, digital transformation and the establishment of a digital government, economy, and society are recognised as crucial tasks for the nation’s progress. The digital transformation plan for the healthcare sector requires a dedicated allocation of resources to enhance IT and digitalisation efforts. This will strengthen the sector’s specialised capacity, enhance management efficiency, and improve the public’s access to medical services.
The Ministry of Health has set its sights on realising smart healthcare by 2025. This includes three main areas of focus: smart disease prevention, smart medical diagnosis and treatment, and smart health administration.
Through digital transformation, people can more easily avail themselves of efficient medical services, ensuring they receive lifelong support and care. The government’s overarching goal is to develop a modern, high-quality, equal, and effective healthcare system that is integrated into the global landscape.
However, there are several obstacles the country faces, such as inadequate infrastructure, which hinders the widespread adoption of electronic medical records, and there is no financial mechanism for IT implementation in healthcare. Furthermore, there is a lack of IT proficiency among medical professionals and an absence of standards and guidance regarding sharing data among medical information systems.
