VietNamNet Bridge - Rapidly aging population comes with both opportunities and risks, requiring the healthcare system of Vietnam in particular and Asia to find solutions for rapid yet sustainable development. The Vietnam Medical Association in partnership with Novartis Vietnam recently organized a forum on the issue.

The 11th Future Trends Forum with the theme “Paving the path for the future in healthcare: Driving efficiency and outcomes in a rapidly aging Asia” took place in Hanoi on November 12-13. The event is considered a positive move to connect healthcare policy makers and academic leaders in the healthcare sector, allowing them to share ideas and best practices, and discuss solutions for sustainably improve Vietnam healthcare system.

The Vietnam Medical Association and Novartis Vietnam organized the 11thFuture Trends Forum with the theme “Paving the path for the future in healthcare in Hanoi.

The forum clarified challenges that the healthcare sector has to face in the context of rapidly aging population. These challenges include the elder patients’ growing demands for healthcare services, the rising number and complexity of chronic diseases, the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and others. They have put great pressure on the healthcare system, consisting of medical staffs, facilities, infrastructure, methods and techniques, which require the efficient operation and management of all resources.

Within the framework of the forum, participants discussed the importance of implementing new technologies and digitalization to drive sustainability of healthcare system as well as engaging the entire healthcare system to create programs that bring optimal benefits to patients.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuyen, President of the Vietnam Medical Association and the ASEAN Medical Association, speaks at the forum.

“The contribution and experience shared by academic leaders, healthcare policy makers, and especially innovative and high-tech healthcare corporations such as Novartis would surely enhance the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam and other Asian countries”, said Ms. Nguyen Thi Xuyen, President of the Vietnam Medical Association and the ASEAN Medical Association.

The current situations in numerous countries prove that as a positive and modern solution, technology plays a significant role in finding and effectively using resources for health care in the context of aging population.

The forum pointed out several other solutions to utilize resources and effectively operate the healthcare system such as universal health coverage, role of private insurance in supporting and improving access to healthcare, establishing sustainable financial sources to complement public insurance, and more.

Participants agreed that the participation of leading healthcare corporations plays an important role which helps boost potentials in technology greatly contribute to accelerate the connectivity and innovation in healthcare sector.

Mr. Roeland Roelofs, Country President of Novartis Vietnam said that Novartis was committed to improve the healthcare sector in Vietnam in terms of quality, cost and accessibility.

With great efforts to collaborate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in value connecting, Novartis is one of the healthcare corporations that continuously seek for solutions and support to solve urging issues of the healthcare system. For years, Novartis has always committed to provide patient support programs helping patients to access to high-quality and advanced healthcare services, which is the primary goal of building a sustainable health system.

“Novartis is committed to improve the healthcare sector in Vietnam in terms of quality, cost and accessibility,” confirmed Mr. Roeland Roelofs, Country President of Novartis Vietnam.

Thanh Van