(MPI) - The forum on medical technology applications in health care: Introducing and connecting innovative potential was held in Hanoi on October 29, as part of the National Innovation Center (NIC) opening ceremony and the 2023 Vietnam International Innovation Expo (VIIE 2023).

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong speaks at the forum. Photo: MPI

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister Tran Duy Dong said that health care is one of the top priority sectors in the National Digital Transformation Program until 2025, with a vision towards 2030.

Digital transformation in the health sector is a global trend, and in Vietnam it covers in four pillars, including disease prevention and health care, medical examination and treatment, health administration and online international conferences.

Digital transformation and innovation are becoming crucial factors for each country’ competitiveness improvement, including Vietnam, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is taking place strongly. He added, as a pioneering agency to promote innovation and digital transformation, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has coordinated with many international organisations such as UNDP, JICA and JETRO to implement programmes that support the development of an innovation and transformation ecosystem in the health sector.

He voiced his hope that the forum will help to connect and expand cooperation potential for a healthier Vietnam in the time ahead, as well as to improve research and development capacity, build a prosperous medical ecosystem, and strengthen partnership towards a dynamic, innovative and resilient health sector to respond future challenges.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan noted some important aspects of innovation in healthcare, namely technology since it plays an important role in this sector, including the development of new medical devices, diagnostic equipment, telemedicine solutions, electronic health records and health information systems.

The second is digital application since using digital technologies will help to remote patient monitoring and promptly receive medical consultation. The third is predictive analytics uses big data; it will help to have forecast on disease outbreaks and trend of the disease structure.

The fourth is biotechnology since innovation in biotech are related to biological processes to develop new treatment methods, techniques and advance therapies. The fifth is telehealth./.

Bao Linh

Ministry of Planning and Investment