The signing ceremony of memorandums of understanding between KOFIH, the Ministry of Health and the UNDP. – Photo courtesy of the UNDP

HÀ NỘI – The Korean Government will provide US$3.2 million in non-refundable official development assistance to support the implementation of the "Doctor for Everyone" software project in ten provinces in Việt Nam to improve access to health services for disadvantaged groups.

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has recently signed memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Health of Việt Nam and with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) regarding cooperation in the implementation of the project. 

The project aims to improve the health of disadvantaged populations constrained by supply issues by boosting digital transformation in health and enhancing access to health services to contribute to improvement of grassroots health services. The project will modernise software and digital solutions, offer servers and IT equipment, train personnel, and reinforce the legal foundation for telehealth.

Professor Doctor Lương Ngọc Khuê, Vice Chair of the National Medical Council and Director of the Viet Nam Administration for Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, said: "We are confident that the initiative will be successfully and efficiently conducted so that individuals from disadvantaged groups will have access to high-quality medical care."

“Experience in IT and healthcare information is expected to help establish the telehealth system and successfully implement its management for underprivileged areas in Việt Nam," said Kim Chang-yup, President of KOFIH.

“Our aim is to support the development of a nationwide grassroots telehealth system in which grassroots health workers have medical guidance at their fingertips, and where patients, especially those from disadvantaged groups, receive the highest quality care in a timely manner,” said Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Việt Nam.

According to Khalidi, this is a key part of UNDP’s overall support of innovation in Việt Nam’s health sector, alongside other activities supporting the development of a climate-smart healthcare system, including a new model for climate resilient commune health stations. –VNS