Innovation-focused health care sector crucial: forum

At the first Health care Innovation Forum (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The development of an innovation-focused health care sector is crucial to improving Vietnam's health system to better address challenges in the future, heard the first Health care Innovation Forum held by Pharma Group in Hanoi on November 21.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Medical Informatics Association Tran Quy Tuong said digital transformation has strongly impacted health care in various aspects. These include medical equipment, pharmaceutical development and State management, allowing citizens to access health care more conveniently.

This orientation is part of the Resolution No. 20/NQ-TW dated October 25, 2017 on strengthening health care and improving people’s health in the new situation. It can also be found in Decision No.376/QD-TTg dated March 17, 2021 approving the programme on the development of the pharmaceutical industry and domestically produced medicinal precursors till 2030 with a vision to 2045. The final directive associated with this orientation is Directive No.16/CT-TTg dated September 20, 2022 on improving health care and flexible adaptation for rapid recovery and sustainable development.

Chairman of Pharma Group Emin Turan said the COVID-19 pandemic presented immense challenges to health care system and inflicted loss of life. But perhaps most importantly, it showcased the role and importance of innovation to overcome these obstacles, while developing a more resilient health care system for the future.

The forum will be a platform for thought leaders to discuss trends, cutting-edge research and applications of technologies in health care that have been made possible via innovation, he said.

With the aim of creating an annual forum for multilateral discussions on solutions to current and future health care challenges, the forum focused on topics such as health care trends, innovation, and research and development in health care in Vietnam and the world.

The event also updated interested parties and the public with advanced research & development activities and breakthrough products and projects. The idea is to bring the best solutions for patients and at the same time seize the opportunities for development cooperation for the Vietnam’s health care industry.

Experts shared that innovation is the new driving force for development in Vietnam, transforming health care through the power of technology and expertise as well as improving health care through AI solutions.

They said that innovation is not only a new driving force for development but also an opportunity for cooperation for a healthier Vietnam in the future. Enhancing research and development capacity, building a rich health ecosystem, strengthening health care capacity and human resources as well as partnerships, and being solution-oriented will help Vietnam build a dynamic, innovative, resilient health care industry to address future health challenges.

The event saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among Pharma Group, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Hanoi University of Pharmacy to enhance efficiency and facilitate the review of Marketing Authorisation at the two universities towards a shared objective of improving the registration process in Vietnam.

During the last few years, there have been many positive changes in the health care industry. Public health has improved thanks to developments in health care, expanding options, new medications, technologies, and other factors. In Vietnam, developing an innovation-focused health care sector is critical to build on past achievements and upgrade Vietnam’s health system to better address tomorrow’s challenges.

Prof and Dr Nguyen Thanh Thuy, deputy chief of the national programme supporting the research, development and application of technologies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, said that three years ago, the Ministry of Science and Technology launched a master plan on AI development as well as studies on AI use in the health care sector.

“Vietnam now has advantages to apply AI in health care including high demand, available input health data and human resources with people who are committed and determined to try,” Thuy said./.