Healthcare in digital transformation: digital and connected

Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City put a patient into a computerised tomography scanner. The city has invested extensively in smart healthcare development. VNA/VNS Photo Manh Linh

Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung recently talks to the press about the role of digital transformation in the health sector.

According to Dung, at the beginning of his term, the Prime Minister sent a message about his determination to build a creative Government that focused on people and businesses.

The PM always raises the issue of institutional building and improvement at Government meetings. Vietnam is moving towards a digital Government and digital economy which promote transparency between the Government and the people, as well as information exchange and sharing among Government agencies in the four-level State administrative system.

The country has been building a public service system that benefits businesses and people, with transparency, efficiency, openness and accountability of State administrative agencies.

"This has been achieved despite the fact we don't have databases for national population, land and regulations," said Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung.

However, in a short time, we have done a lot of work including putting into operation the National Reporting Information System, E-cabinet system, and National Public Service Portal. These are very important steps that mark significant contributions by ministries and localities, Dung stressed.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) pioneered reforming administrative procedures, especially the issuance of Decree 15/2018/ NĐ-CP replacing Decree No. 38/2012 / NĐ-CP detailing the implementation of some articles of the Food Safety Law.

Feedback from enterprises showed that Decree 15 has removed difficulties for businesses when entering the market, reducing time and costs in the direction of streamlining administrative procedures on registration, publication, and specialised inspections of food. Particularly, 95 per cent of imported food shipments will no longer be subject to specialised inspections.

Given the fact the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on all countries and their economies, the health sector has applied information technology solutions to expand remote counselling and treatment at 1,500 health facilities.

The MoH is also promoting the use of electronic medical records to replace paper ones and non-cash payments at health facilities on the National Public Service Portal. If things go according to plan, there will be no need for patients to bring their medical records and payments for those covered by health insurance will be conducted quickly.

Experts of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology conduct tests and research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyet

As of November 15, nearly 1,500 dossiers from the ministry had been submitted and processed on the portal. Added to that, 100 public services are now available on the portal.

The MoH has publicised all issues related to equipment prices. In the future, the ministry will made public the price for all services and call for investment from the private sector to improve the quality of healthcare.

"I believe that the health sector will fulfil the task assigned by the Prime Minister – that is taking the lead in the field of digital transformation," said Dung.

Vietnam has actively participated in the Fourth Industrial Revolution over the past few years. Vietnam's start-up and innovation scene has also been dynamic. The country is following Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's direction of realising the dual goal of preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic whilst continuing to resume production and develop the economy.

Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world with positive growth.

Digitalising medical services will mean people can enjoy the best benefits and services in medical examination and treatment.

The Government Office has co-ordinated with the MoH and related agencies to streamline cumbersome procedures, ensuring that health facilities across the country are connected on a shared platform. This is a new issue so we hope to receive positive response from the people, said Dung.

In addition to assuring accuracy, timeliness and efficiency, the protection of personal data is also very important. Competent agencies will work with the MoH to ensure this.