Delegates launch the “'ealth Equity – For a Healthier Vietnam 2025' event in Bắc Ninh Province. —Photo MoH

BẮC NINH — More than 1,000 residents received free medical check-ups and health screenings during the launch ceremony of the 'Health Equity – For a Healthier Vietnam 2025' programme recently in Bắc Ninh Province.

Healthcare professionals were trained in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for disease screening and management, marking a significant step forward in the digital transformation of grassroots healthcare.

The event is a part of the implementation of the Bắc Ninh Smart Healthcare Development Plan 2021–2030, co-organised by the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, the Bắc Ninh Provincial People’s Committee and AstraZeneca Vietnam.

A series of community health initiatives will be implemented, include 'CareMe – Love Yourself', a programme focused on communication, screening and management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes; the “'Digital Transformation for Lung Health': Leveraging technology and AI to enable early detection of asthma, COPD, tuberculosis and lung cancer at the community level; and 'Health Equity for Lung Health': an initiative seeks to enhance public awareness, promote early screening and diagnosis, improve treatment outcomes, and strengthen overall management of lung health in Việt Nam.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Trần Văn Thuấn, emphasised that the participation of stakeholders and the public at the ceremony signals a strategic shift in Việt Nam’s healthcare approach, from treatment to prevention, from passive to proactive care, from fragmented services to integrated, smart healthcare centred around the citizens.

Dr Thuấn highlighted that this direction aligns with the heartfelt guidance of General Secretary Tô Lâm to "strive for every citizen to have a health check-up at least once a year”.

This is not only a professional standard, but also a deeply humanistic reminder that public health must begin early and no one should be left behind.

Smart healthcare, also referred to as digital health, demonstrates the Vietnamese health sector’s strong commitment to leveraging information and communication technologies to enhance the quality, efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services. The goal is to establish a modern, connected, and intelligent healthcare system that reduces errors, saves time and lowers costs for both patients and healthcare providers.

The programme marks an important milestone, affirming Bắc Ninh’s pioneering role in implementing the Bắc Ninh Smart Healthcare Development Plan with a focus on Community Health for the 2021–2030 period.

Bắc Ninh is expected to serve as a solid starting point for the continued expansion of the Health Equity Programme and smart healthcare models to other localities across the country in the near future.

The project aims to accelerate digital transformation in public healthcare and promote equitable access to advanced medical services, especially at the grassroots level where people need them most.

In partnership with AstraZeneca, the project will implement several key components, including establishing a national platform for digitised population health data; using AI to manage non-communicable disease (NCD) risks; and restructuring grassroots healthcare systems to become multi-functional, interconnected and focused on prevention over treatment. — VNS