Party General Secretary Tô Lâm (second right) congratulates the health sector on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnamese Physicians' Day. — VNA/VNS Photo Tô Lâm

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Tô Lâm on Monday expressed his belief that the health sector will continue to develop strongly, improving the quality of people's lives and bringing the country into a new era of prosperity.

He made the statement while working with the Ministry of Health on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnamese Physicians' Day (February 27, 1955 - February 27, 2025).

Innovate thinking

Party General Secretary Tô Lâm emphasised that the Vietnamese health sector has made great strides in both quantity and quality, meeting the increasingly high demand for health care, medical examinations and treatment for the people.

The sector’s great contributions have been recognised by the Party and the State with noble awards.

The most important thing is the people’s trust and gratitude for the medical staff, who have not been afraid of difficulties and hardships, dedicating themselves to the cause of public health care.

In addition to the achievements, the Party leader pointed out that the health sector was also facing many major challenges, requiring strong innovation to ensure the goal of universal health care in the new situation.

To address the challenges facing the health sector today and moving forward, he instructed the need to innovate thinking about the health sector. Health is not only about examining and treating patients, but more importantly, it is about taking care of people's health to limit diseases, researching disease prevention measures, improving health and prolonging life.

At the same time, the sector should strengthen capacity for reproductive health, paediatrics and geriatrics, enhance community health and increase the number of people visiting medical facilities for annual or semi-annual health check-ups.

Party General Secretary Lâm requested to improve medical ethics among medical staff. In addition to doing their job well, they need to raise awareness of respecting and protecting the lives and health of patients, treating patients fairly, respecting the rights and dignity of patients, and being honest in their work.

They must always study to improve their knowledge and professional qualifications; demonstrate responsibility to the community and society.

He emphasised the need to upgrade equipment and infrastructure for district and commune health centres, ensure that grassroots health care has enough qualified doctors and medical staff, especially in remote areas.

At the same time, the sector should improve the effectiveness of vaccination and preventive health programmes, expand the immunisation coverage and ensure that all children are fully vaccinated.

Along with that, it is necessary to reduce overload at upper-level hospitals and develop a system of satellite hospitals, enhance training and transfer of techniques from central-level hospitals to provincial and district-level ones.

In addition the sector should increase technology application in medical examination and treatment, build an online health consultation system to support initial diagnosis, expand forms of public-private partnership and encourage the development of private hospitals and medical services.

Strong changes

Party General Secretary Lâm said that the health sector needed to improve health insurance policies to support the disadvantaged, ensuring that vulnerable groups such as the poor, the disabled, and children have comprehensive health insurance.

He pointed out the need to enhance the role of traditional medicine in the health system, combine traditional medicine with modern medicine in diagnosis and treatment, promote research on folk remedies.

Other important works are improving the scientific nature of traditional medicine, investing in oriental medicine research centres, developing effective herbal treatment methods and supporting traditional medical training.

The Party General Secretary confirmed the importance to promote digital transformation in healthcare management, using electronic medical records, synchronising health data between hospitals and medical facilities and enhancing the application of artificial intelligence and big data in disease diagnosis and treatment.

To achieve the goal of building a modern, equitable and effective healthcare system, he said that active participation from organisations and sectors was needed, in which the healthcare sector played a core role.

From perfecting policies, improving the grassroots healthcare system, attracting and rewarding healthcare workers, to applying digital technology and promoting preventive healthcare. — VNS