Hanoi (VNA) - Over the past 70 years, Vietnam’s healthcare system has thrived and reached international standards thanks to the great contributions from generations of doctors.
Healthcare professionals in Vietnam have undertaken a series of valuable research projects that have delivered profound economic and social benefits, bringing remarkable progress in research, technology development, and application.
During the struggles for national independence and reunification, generations of revolutionary doctors in Vietnam were always dedicated to their profession and passionate about their field, and overcome countless hardships. They served on battlefields to care for and treat the wounded, the sick, the people, and comrades. Thousands of healthcare workers heroically sacrificed their lives for national independence, for the cause of liberation and reunification, and for the health and safety of the people.
When the country was reunited and in peace, the medical workforce has been present across all regions of the nation, silently and selflessly contributing to protecting and improving the public health and the happiness of every family. Despite numerous challenges, Vietnam's healthcare sector has continued to grow, making significant achievements with exemplary figures known for their medical ethics and expertise, such as Professors Ho Dac Di, Ton That Tung, Pham Ngoc Thach, and Dang Van Ngu.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that today, more than 500,000 medical staff across the country are committed to their profession. They have made continuous efforts to achieve significant medical breakthroughs, some of which have earned international recognition.
During the battle against COVID-19, once again, hundreds of thousands of doctors, medical staff, and healthcare workers did not hesitate to face danger. Their dedication, sacrifices, and contributions were pivotal in controlling the pandemic, allowing the country to safely adapt and recover, achieving significant progress in 2022.
Currently, preventive health care plays a central role in the mission of protecting and promoting the health of the people. Dr Hoang Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Health, noted that investing in preventive health care not only addresses medical issues but also brings significant socio-economic benefits. Developing preventive health care is not solely the responsibility of the health sector but requires a collective effort from the entire political system.
Thanks to the attention from the Party and the State, Vietnam has achieved numerous successes in preventive medicine in recent years. Around 90% of children under one-year-old are fully vaccinated through the expanded immunisation programme. Many dangerous diseases such as HIV/AIDS, dengue, and COVID-19 have been controlled and eliminated. Progress continued with the eradication of diseases such as polio, neonatal tetanus, lymphatic filariasis, toward the elimination of tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria.
Vietnam has adopted advanced technologies in vaccine production, ensuring the production of 11 out of 12 vaccines required for the expanded immunisation programme. The rate of stunting in children under 5 has dropped to below 20%, contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Health management for non-communicable diseases is also being implemented at the grassroots level, and public awareness and practices regarding health prevention have been significantly improved.
Along with breakthroughs in areas such as laparoscopic surgery and organ transplants, Vietnam is also becoming a key player in the global vaccine production industry.
Vietnam’s medical reputation has continued to rise on the world stage, with highly skilled and respected experts and doctors known regionally and internationally in fields such as thyroid surgery, organ transplants, cardiovascular interventions, acupuncture, and acupressure.
Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country to perform over 1,000 organ transplants annually since 2022, showcasing significant progress in scientific and technical expertise. This has made the country a leader in advanced medical techniques, outpacing many of its regional counterparts.
Today, over 94% of the population in Vietnam is covered by health insurance. The system, organised from national to local levels, includes both public and private medical facilities, facilitating access to health services for insured citizens.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that the health sector achieved all of its targets for 2024. The number of doctors per 10,000 people and the number of hospital beds per 10,000 people, as well as meeting the target for health insurance coverage were major goals set by the Government and met in the healthcare sector./.
