Private sector investment encouraged in high-quality hospitals and healthcare services

The Government will create favorable conditions for the private sector to invest in and deliver high-quality healthcare services, as well as to conduct scientific research and manufacture pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical equipment.

It will also encourage the development of more private hospitals and large-scale research centers.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long made these remarks at the Healthcare Innovation Forum held in Hanoi on June 6.

Vietnam’s healthcare system is currently undergoing profound changes driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital transformation, and innovation.

“This is both an inevitable trend and an essential requirement for the healthcare sector to achieve sustainable, equitable, high-quality, and effective development, and to integrate internationally. Science and technology are fundamentally reshaping approaches to medical diagnosis and treatment, disease prevention, scientific research, training, and the management of both the healthcare system and public health,” said the Deputy PM.

He noted that digital transformation in the healthcare sector has made significant progress in recent years. All healthcare facilities nationwide have implemented hospital information systems. Many have introduced electronic health records on the VNeID platform, telemedicine, e-prescriptions, artificial intelligence to support treatment, and surgical robots.

However, challenges remain. Infrastructure, information security, and cybersecurity systems are still not fully integrated; the pace of digital transformation is uneven across various areas; and there is a shortage of high-quality healthcare professionals to meet growing demands.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed multiple shortcomings, particularly in preventive medicine, grassroots healthcare, and the capacity to supply pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Deputy PM Long emphasized that these challenges highlight the urgent need for innovation in leadership and governance to comprehensively and effectively implement public healthcare in this new era.

In response, the Politburo has recently issued several key directives: Resolution 57 on breakthrough development in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; Resolution 59 on international integration in the new context; Resolution 66 on reforming lawmaking and law enforcement; and Resolution 68 on the development of the private economy, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

“These are critical policies that serve as foundational institutional pillars for national development. These resolutions, along with an upcoming Politburo resolution specifically for the healthcare sector, will provide strong momentum and create breakthroughs in public healthcare,” he said.