Solving problem of digital transformation for medical industry in Vietnam

Techfest Vietnam 2020 discussed the "five houses" and opportunities for startups in the digital health sector

In Vietnam, medical technology is still a new field but full of potential. How technology and the medical segment can make positive changes in the whole industry remains a difficult problem. To find the answer, businesses working in medical technology need to cooperate on this digital transformation journey.

Big challenge

The biggest challenge in the digital transformation of the medical industry is that this field requires expertise as well as high precision. Medicine is also directly related to human health and life. In early 2020s, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created a turning point in the awareness of the community and experts about the importance of technology in medical examination and treatment activities.

However, the medical technology field in Vietnam still faces some challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and unspecified investment policies. In particular, the need to change the medical examination and treatment habits of millions of people, moving from pen and paper to computer and phone is a big obstacle.

"Medical Technology Village" promoted the digital transformation of the medical industry at the National Innovation Festival - Techfest Vietnam 2020.

This special “Village” creates ecosystems and opportunities for businesses in the medical technology field to connect financial resources and find development partners. This is also a place for them to share their knowledge and experience, as well as search, test, and implement ideas about applying technology to solve the digitalisation problem of the medical industry.

Ngo Thanh Son, deputy general director of VMED Group cum head of Medical Technology Village, sharing the goals of the workshop

Ngo Thanh Son, deputy general director of VMED Group cum head of Medical Technology Village, said: “There is a huge gap between the technologists and the needs of the medical industry. Therefore, we aim to connect the medical industry with the technology world, thereby improving the quality of medical examination and treatment and people's healthcare.”

Find the right way to pioneer

Through a pandemic, the medical industry clearly wants to minimise and modernise the process of receiving and treating patients. In the framework of Techfest Vietnam 2020, a representative from the Department of Information Technology under the Ministry of Health said that the ministry is planning to deploy a hospital "3.0": No queues, no paper documents, no payment by cash.

The need for remote medical examination and treatment and online consultation has also been shown very clearly in the recent epidemic. Identifying this need, as the chief of Medical Technology Village, VMED Group wishes to create a close link between the "five houses": the state, schools, scientists, businesses, and the community. Thereby, innovative ideas or innovative projects will have the opportunity to be applied in practice, contribute to the digital transformation of the medical industry, and create a sustainable development ecosystem following world trends.

Speakers, experts, and representatives of medical technology enterprises from home and abroad in discussion at Techfest

In addition, Nguyen Francis Tuan Anh, senior technology and Solution Advisor of VMED Group, and member of the professional advisory board of Medical Technology Village, emphasised: “We need a platform to connect businesses with policies, experts, investors, and resources aiming to develop the medical technology field.”

From that need, Medtech Tribe was born. This is the foundation for connecting and building the community, promoting the development of innovative, creative ideas and startup ideas in medical technology in Vietnam. Medtech Tribe also creates an environment for startups to directly approach domestic and international investors, as well as professionals and the government. This will also be a space for members to cooperate, work, and study together.

"With a network of large investors from the US, Japan, and Israel, among others, and the relationship with experts in health management and financial management, we continue to connect startups with domestic and international investors and experts,” said Ngo Thanh Son.

The chain of activities at Medical Technology Village at Techfest Vietnam 2020 has contributed to affirming the need to apply technology in the medical industry. Setting out the mission of connecting "for a healthier and happier community", VMED Group wants to work with businesses working in the medical technology field to properly grasp the needs and vision of the Vietnamese medical industry, thereby seeking to exploit the great potential in this field.

Domestic healthcare picks up speed in digitalisation

Legal challenges for a flourishing healthcare sector

Healthcare levels up via tech groups

Securing vital health coverage