The Information Technology Department under the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched new software on June 14 designed to compile a comprehensive database of electronic medical records.— Photo MoH

HÀ NỘI — The Information Technology Department under the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched new software on June 14 designed to compile a comprehensive database of electronic medical records.

The MOH plans to trial the software in eight provinces and cities before expanding the system nationwide in July next year. The aim is to have complete medical records available at the touch of a button for every citizen.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Viết Tiến said the project was important for people’s health.

“Electronic records will help improve the management of healthcare services,” he said.

Using the records, doctors will have instant access to information about their patients, including blood group, diseases or even if they are allergic to certain medicines.

Tiến added that patients would also benefit because they would no longer have to take their medical records with them.

Trần Quý Tường, director of the Information Technology Department, said the eight provinces and cities chosen to trial the project were Hà Nội, HCM City, Lào Cai, Yên Bái, Hà Tĩnh, Khánh Hòa, Lâm Đồng and Long An.

Tường expressed his belief that the electronic health records would save time for medical workers and improve the quality of healthcare.

In another development, provinces and cities across the country on June 14 conducted a number of activities to honour blood donors in response to World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

Hà Nội alone honoured 196 outstanding families and individuals, including Lê Đình Duật’s family in Thanh Xuân District who have donated 584 units of blood over the past 18 years.

Last year, Hà Nội received more than 204,000 units of blood from donors. In the first six months of this year, the capital received more than 120,000 units.

The northern mountainous province of Sơn La honoured eight organisations and 26 individuals for their generosity. Last year, the province collected 3,000 units from volunteers.

Over 205 families and individuals were also honoured in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, where five blood banks have been opened.

A total of 70 individuals were honoured in the southern province of Đồng Tháp. The province collected more than 18,000 blood units over the last 18 months. — VNS