The launch ceremony was chaired by Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Tran Van Thuan, and attended by over 50 delegates from the MoH, central hospitals, and the Lao Cai Department of Health.

In his remarks, Thuan stated that over the past years, the telemedicine model has proven its effectiveness in narrowing the gap between different levels of the healthcare system and providing timely support to disadvantaged localities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, the MoH has piloted the Telemedicine project in more than 1,000 connected sites, saving thousands of lives.

“The project has significantly contributed to improving professional capacity, developing human resources, and strengthening the healthcare system from the grassroots to the central levels,” said the senior professional.

“Through this project, we will develop guidelines, standard procedures, organise remote consultations, conduct training, transfer medical techniques, and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers. This is a fundamental solution to building a smart, flexible, sustainable healthcare system centred around the people,” he added.

To ensure the project achieves practical and meaningful results, the Deputy Minister of Health requested the Department of Medical Service Administration to closely coordinate with relevant departments and units, key hospitals, local health departments, and Japanese partners to ensure the project is implemented on schedule, with the highest quality, safety, and efficiency.

Dr. Nguyen Song Hao, deputy director of the Lao Cai Department of Health, shared that this project holds profound and practical significance in improving public health care, especially in remote, mountainous, and border areas like Lao Cai, where many challenges remain.

“Geographical distance, a shortage of medical specialists, and limited training opportunities have always been major barriers. Telemedicine enables us to connect directly with top-tier experts at central and provincial levels, allowing doctors in lower-level facilities to participate in consultations on complex cases, receive timely professional support, and improve diagnostic and treatment quality. At the same time, it provides continuous and effective professional training and knowledge updates,” emphasised the official.

Kobayashi Yosuke, chief representative of JICA Vietnam, expressed confidence that close cooperation between the Ministry of Health, Lao Cai province, JICA, and medical institutions would be a key factor contributing to the project’s success.

The project, approved by the Minister of Health in September 2022, is part of the national strategy framework, including the “Digital Health Transformation Program to 2025 with orientation to 2030” and the “National Strategy for Protection, Care, and Improvement of People's Health to 2030, with a Vision to 2045.”

It is funded through a non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with a total value of US$3 million.

Using the doctor-to-doctor (D-to-D) model, the project aims to support clinical decision-making, facilitate knowledge transfer across levels, and enhance the quality of medical services, particularly in rural and mountainous areas.

The former Yen Bai province (now Lao Cai), known for its complex mountainous terrain, has been selected as the pilot site for implementing the telemedicine model. Practical activities conducted there are expected to lay the groundwork for nationwide expansion in the future.

Vietnam seeks WHO assistance in disease response, universal health care

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, showing both sides’ strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in public health and global health security.