Fifty years of consistent advancement in public health - Final part
Final part: Leveraging science and technology to reinforce the sector's standing
Aiming to establish itself as a high-tech medical service center in the Southeast region, the health sector of Binh Duong province prioritizes science, technology, and digital transformation as a foundation for advancing and leading in the mission of enhancing public health.
Concurrent utilization of cutting-edge technology and software
As a grade 1 hospital and the central medical facility of the province, the Provincial General Hospital has consistently made significant advancements in treatment technology over the years. It has attained notable medical achievements in various fields, including neurosurgery, emergency resuscitation, intensive care, cardiology, ENT, functional testing, diagnostic imaging, and artificial kidney treatment.
In recent years, the hospital has adopted numerous advanced and specialized techniques from higher institutions, including: the placement of permanent and temporary pacemakers; online HDF dialysis (Cho Ray Hospital); umbilical vein catheterization for newborns; active hypothermia for premature infants (Children's Hospital 2); bone marrow blood collection for aspiration (Hanoi Medical University Hospital); and the double-lumen catheter placement technique in online HDF dialysis. Furthermore, the hospital has implemented a Telehealth system, facilitating online training for consultation sessions and medical record reviews from leading hospitals to enhance professional expertise.
In its management and operations, the Department of Health is effectively utilizing online public service software. The Department disseminates information and sector activities to units through its website and email system, while also implementing electronic signatures. The Department of Health, in conjunction with the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene, has deployed electronic one-stop software, achieving a 100% resolution rate for records. Additionally, the sector has implemented electronic document interconnection, with over 97% of documents processed electronically, thereby minimizing the reliance on paper documents and enhancing work efficiency. |
First and foremost, the remote histopathology diagnostic application at Hanoi Medical University Hospital has facilitated consultations for nearly 1,000 cases with Binh Duong General Hospital. Telepathology enables the practice of pathology diagnosis by presenting histopathological images on a screen or video, eliminating the need to examine specimens directly under a microscope. The specimens on glass slides are scanned to create high-resolution digital slides, which can be accessed on mobile devices for the immediate consultation of challenging cases and biopsy diagnoses.
The hospital is currently developing a smart facility in accordance with the established roadmap, finalizing the testing, paraclinical, and imaging management systems, and progressing towards the integration of AI, IoMT, and Big Data technologies.
Currently, patients visiting medical centers express satisfaction as most facilities have adopted various registration methods tailored to different needs. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, Director of Tan Uyen City Medical Center, stated that individuals can utilize their citizen identification card, the VssID application, the VNeID application, One Card, or Kios for medical examinations and treatment, or they can register online through the E-hospital software. With these registration options, patients require only about 30 seconds to complete the process. "In the past, patients admitted to the hospital faced lengthy waits for doctors to diagnose and conduct a series of examinations and tests to identify the issue. However, doctors can now diagnose more swiftly using existing patient data. This advancement has resulted in increased comfort and convenience for both patients and medical staff, as well as highly accurate examination and treatment outcomes, thanks to the application of advanced information technology and software," Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nguyen remarked.
Vision for the future
In the comprehensive development project for the health sector of Binh Duong province through 2030, with a vision extending to 2050, as approved by the Provincial People's Committee, the provincial health sector aims to establish Binh Duong as a high-tech medical service hub for the Southeast region. To realize this objective, the sector recognizes the advancement of science and technology, along with digital transformation, as essential catalysts for fostering a scientific and effective health ecosystem within the province.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Chuong, Director of the Department of Health, stated, “Leveraging the advancements of the 4.0 industrial revolution in healthcare development will enable the sector to master technology, thereby contributing to the objective of comprehensive digital transformation. Furthermore, the industry is dedicated to mobilizing resources and investing in infrastructure and information technology equipment to ensure a cohesive implementation in medical examination, treatment, and various related fields.”
Consequently, the sector fosters innovation through the Big Data platform and the integration of artificial intelligence in medicine. It implements new scientific and technological advancements in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, while enhancing international collaboration in training, technology transfer, and developmental support. The industry actively partners with medical universities to execute scientific and technological initiatives and research projects focused on health. Simultaneously, it organizes seminars and scientific conferences, invites prominent experts, and provides guidance on treatment and prevention strategies for specific diseases prevalent in the province. Activities related to technology incubation, business development, and technology transfer collaboration are also encouraged at all levels.
“For comprehensive online public services, hospital fee payments, and cashless medical services, the sector emphasizes the implementation of digital medical models and platforms derived from the National Population Database and Project 06. Additionally, the sector is developing and deploying an integrated, connected, and interlinked medical data framework that extends from the provincial level to grassroots, thereby establishing a unified data repository that can synchronize with the National Database. Notably, during this period, the sector is leveraging artificial intelligence to extract and analyze medical data, progressively establishing a smart medical operations center and various intelligent medical applications to enhance community health care,” stated Dr. Nguyen Hong Chuong.
To achieve a significant advancement in the development of science and technology, the health sector is actively advocating for the implementation of electronic health records for the entire population, ensuring that all individuals in the province possess an electronic health book. Concurrently, it is fostering the establishment of a remote medical examination and treatment system, enhancing the capacity to manage fundamental health data to integrate with the national health system, while ensuring information security and safety. |
Reported by Kim Ha - Translated by Vi Bao
