In the healthcare sector, digital transformation makes management more accurate, timely and effective.

The access to medical services has shifted from traditional to digital method, allowing quick access, anytime and anywhere.

It also affects the way of working and communications of medical workers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to online consultation and treatment, many patients have been saved.

“From the pandemic, we learned how to work online. We can apply digital technology to diagnose, give advice and treat patients from a distance,” Kinh said. “Thanks to telemedicine system, the patients on islands far from medical centers can get timely treatment.”

Nguyen Truong Nam, deputy head of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Information Technology Agency, said digital transformation is present at hospitals in Vietnam.

Previously, patients had to go to medical centers and doctors can work remotely.

“In many cases, if high technology and remote diagnostic were not applied, many patients would not have been cured. This is the clearest example that shows how digital technology and digital transformation can make the impossible possible,” said Nam.

According to Kinh, one of the biggest challenges for digital transformation in the healthcare sector is in infrastructure at many medical centers.

Meanwhile, the medical system in Vietnam comprises many levels, while the labor force and equipment for each level are different. With such challenges, it requires great effort from every unit.

Health centers need to have electronic medical records, lab data, diagnostic imaging data and other data related to patients.

Nam from MOH said that Vietnam is striving for a new hospital model, called the “hospital with three nos – no paper, no queue, and no cash payment”.

Vietnam will also promote medical examinations from a distance so that everyone can access medical services via digital technology.

Trong Dat