Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn addresses the Vietnam–France Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference. Photos https://moh.gov.vn

HÀ NỘI Twenty-five years of medical cooperation between Việt Nam and France has not only established a prestigious academic forum, but also created a space where the knowledge and excellence of both countries’ medical fields converge, said Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Trần Văn Thuấn.

“Over the past thirty years, more than 3,000 resident doctors have been trained at renowned hospitals in France, making significant contributions to improving the quality of Việt Nam’s healthcare workforce, including in the field of obstetrics and gynecology,” he told the Vietnam–France Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference organised by the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology in collaboration with the French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) on November 9–10.

The conference witnessed the attendance of 1,500 delegates from Việt Nam and abroad, along with more than 80 speakers, including 14 experts from France, Australia, Italy, Germany, and Malaysia.

The Deputy Minister emphasised that the event holds special significance as it takes place in the context of the Vietnamese healthcare sector strongly implementing strategic breakthrough resolutions of the Politburo, namely Resolution No. 57 on science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation, and Resolution No. 59 on international integration in the new situation.

Especially Resolution No. 72 of the Politburo, which clearly defines the requirements for comprehensive innovation in public healthcare, promoting research and application of science and technology, digital transformation in healthcare, and shifting strongly from a disease treatment mindset to prevention and lifelong health care.

The conference witnessed the attendance of 1,500 delegates from Việt Nam and abroad.

Deputy Minister Thuấn further highlighted that this year's conference programme focused precisely on these key areas, with pioneering topics such as artificial intelligence in prenatal screening and cervical cancer, genetics in prenatal diagnosis, modern assisted reproduction, fertility preservation in cancer, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, and many other fields reflecting an obstetrics and gynecology sector that is transforming strongly, integrating into the flow of world medicine.

The Deputy Minister of Health proposed that the obstetrics and gynecology sector needs to urgently standardize comprehensive mother-newborn care procedures, from prenatal to postnatal, linked with international guidelines and Vietnamese practices, to reduce maternal mortality, decrease obstetric complications, and improve the quality of life for women.

“It is necessary to promote training, research, and technology transfer within the "school - institute - hospital" model, while also forming centers of excellence in assisted reproduction, gynecological oncology, fetal medicine, and genetics, capable of regional and international integration,” said Thuấn.

"We are living in an era where maternal and child health is no longer an issue of a single specialty, but a cornerstone of human development and the nation's future. In that picture, the obstetrics and gynecology sector plays a pioneering role. And today's conference is the strongest affirmation: Việt Nam is ready, capable, and significant enough to contribute valuable academic voices to the international medical community," he said.

According to Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Duy Ánh, Director of the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the 2025 Vietnam-France Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference marks an important step forward by introducing for the first time the specialized topic "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Obstetrics and Gynecology," opening up new approaches in obstetric diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Over more than two decades, the Vietnam-France Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference has become a prestigious international scientific forum, gathering leading professors and experts from home and abroad. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese doctors and medical staff to interact, update, and share pioneering medical advancements in maternal and child healthcare.

This year's conference is honoured to have the participation of Professor Simon Meagher - Director of the Monash Ultrasound for Women Centre (Australia) directly leading the specialised topic: "Elevating Fetal Ultrasound - Standardisation from the First Trimester of Pregnancy." This highly practical topic helps Vietnamese doctors access the most advanced ultrasound techniques available today.

Deputy Minister Thuấn presented the Medal “For the People’s Health” to four international experts who have made outstanding, persistent, and effective contributions to the cause of caring for and protecting public health.

On the occasion, Deputy Minister Thuấn presented the Medal “For the People’s Health” to four international experts who have made outstanding, persistent, and effective contributions to the cause of caring for and protecting public health. The honourees included: Professor Frank Louwen, current President of FIGO; Professor Gian Carlo Di Renzo, former Honorary Secretary General of FIGO and founder of the Preis School (Italy); Dr. David Shchapira, a dedicated neonatal intensive care specialist from the United Kingdom; and Ms. Suzanna Elaine Lubran, Executive Director of Newborns Vietnam, who has been closely involved in supporting and fostering training connections among many medical institutions and universities in Việt Nam. VNS