Thursday, 03/07/2025 11:18 (GMT+7)

Expanding telehealth is on Vietnam’s agenda to better serve communities in hard-to-reach areas

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanoi Medical University Hospital launched its first trial telehealth sessions, connecting doctors in the capital with patients in Lao Cai, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa provinces. Hanoi Medical University Hospital launched its first trial telehealth sessions, connecting doctors in the capital with patients in Lao Cai, Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa provinces.
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Telehealth platforms in use at Hanoi Medical University Hospital. Photo: nhandan.vn

Since then, the telehealth model has expanded rapidly, now connecting hundreds of health stations across the country with thousands of patients.

Supported by international partners, the Ministry of Health continues to promote the model as a strategic solution to improving healthcare accessibility.

Assisted by the United Nations Development Programme, since 2020 the ministry has deployed the 'Doctor for Everyone' telehealth software in eight provinces: Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Dak Lak and Ca Mau.

The ministry is currently working with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare and United Nations Development Programme to implement the project 'Telehealth to Improve Access to Healthcare Services for Disadvantaged Groups in Vietnam'.

The project targets 10 remote and mountainous provinces still facing barriers in accessing healthcare.

Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said telehealth reflects the modernisation of healthcare in Vietnam, helping expand equitable access to medical services, especially in underprivileged areas.

He said telehealth is a strategic breakthrough for the healthcare sector as Vietnam builds a modern, efficient and equitable national health system.
Associate Professor Nguyen Lan Hieu, director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said Vietnam is well-positioned to advance telehealth, given the Government’s commitment to digital transformation and a high internet penetration rate, with approximately 73.2% of the population, nearly 75 million people online.

The hospital has been a pioneer in adopting technology in healthcare management, including electronic medical records, telemedicine, telepathology, tele-intensive care units and tele-education. It has conducted over 3,500 teleconsultations and 1,200 health check-ups since 2020, with participation from about 165 doctors.

Hieu noted that telehealth has significantly reduced travel time and patient waiting times while improving access to specialised services. Patients can join consultations via private video calls or dedicated mobile apps.

However, he acknowledged two major challenges: the cost and limited efficiency.

To enhance adoption, he suggested integrating patient-tracking devices for at-home consultations.

His hospital aims to trial the devices with over 1,000 patients to evaluate satisfaction.

Health experts agree that building a robust database of online health records is essential for the growth of telehealth.

Director General of the Department of Medical Service Administration Ha Anh Duc said the department is working to complete around 40 million electronic medical records this year and to establish health profiles for all citizens starting from birth. These profiles will be updated with regular health check-up results.

Dr Nguyen Van Linh from the Department of Health of Yen Bai province, one of the first localities to adopt telehealth under the KOFIH partnership, proposed creating a smart healthcare ecosystem with three core pillars: electronic medical records, AI-assisted diagnosis and telehealth services.

Linh added that in many countries, telehealth is most effective during patients’ follow-up visits. Once patients have a digital medical history, telehealth becomes far more efficient.

With the national deadline for applying electronic medical records set for September, Yen Bai plans to begin widespread implementation in July, he said.

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