Nguyen Ngo Quang, director general of the Department of Science, Technology, and Training under the Ministry of Health, who spoke at the symposium ‘Advances in disease detection, diagnosis and treatment’ on December 3, described the deep transformations facing the global healthcare landscape.

The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, especially cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, continues to rise in many regions, while reemerging and newly emerging infectious diseases trigger unpredictable outbreaks.

Climate change has accelerated the spread of diseases, adding strain to healthcare systems already under pressure after the pandemic.

According to Quang, antimicrobial resistance is reaching a global alarm threshold, threatening to reverse decades of progress in medicine. 

As the population ages rapidly and the disease pattern changes, countries are compelled to seek advanced, effective, and sustainable solutions to enhance healthcare capacity.

The development of digital technology, AI, gene technology, and biomaterials are leading medicine to shift from a traditional treatment model to a Precision Medicine model, based on data, genetic characteristics, and the pathological features of each individual.

New medical therapies

At the event, world-leading scientists presented several groundbreaking studies that are contributing to changing how humanity detects and treats diseases.

Phage therapies against antimicrobial resistance, pioneering studies on cellular microbiology, 3D-printing applications in surgery, and advances in auditory science are all opening up new therapeutic pathways that are less invasive and deliver superior clinical outcomes.

Professor Pascale Cossart, a pioneer in cellular microbiology, shared her research on how bacteria invade the human body and “hide” within host cells.

Her work has not only created an entirely new approach to infectious diseases but also paved the way for targeted therapies, transforming future infectious disease prevention and treatment strategies.

Professor Ana Belen Elgoyhen spoke about foundational discoveries in auditory physiology. Her research explains why many individuals are vulnerable to noise-induced hearing damage; it opens new avenues for treating tinnitus and hearing loss, conditions that are increasingly common.

Professor Chuanbin Mao introduced a highly promising research field: bacteriophage-based biomaterials, which can be used in biosensors, nanomedicine, and tissue regeneration, offering potential breakthroughs in treating cancer, complex infections, and difficult-to-repair tissue damage.

In the surgical field, Vietnam has made a strong mark thanks to the work of Professor Tran Trung Dung (Vinmec health system). With over 20 years of experience, he has pioneered the application of 3D printing technology in treating orthopedic trauma and bone cancer. This technology allows for the highly accurate reconstruction of complex bone structures, helping patients achieve better functional recovery and improve quality of life.

The surgeries to replace pelvic and femur bones using 3D printed materials performed by Dun are considered a significant step forward, bringing Vietnam closer to international standards in this field.

The convergence of many groundbreaking studies from world-leading scientists reaffirmed the seminar's direction: technology is the key to the future of medicine, especially across the three pillars of detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

Vietnam prioritizes technology usage in healthcare

In his remarks, Nguyen Ngo Quang emphasized that Vietnam’s Ministry of Health identifies science and technology as the most important pillars for improving healthcare quality and strengthening the national health system.

This strategic priority is reflected in policy, from medical databases, electronic health records and information-sharing platforms to research on biotechnology and artificial intelligence applications.

According to Quang, over the past five years, the VinFuture Prize has helped foster an open scientific environment and nurture a spirit of innovation in Vietnam.

Award-winning scientists have not only produced globally impactful work but also contributed to guiding medical technologies in Vietnam, strengthening the country’s position in the international research community.

He expressed hope that this year’s seminar will mark the beginning of deeper collaborations between Vietnam and leading global research institutes, universities, and hospitals.

Such partnerships, he noted, will open doors to advanced technologies, joint research initiatives, and, most importantly, the practical application of scientific breakthroughs to benefit Vietnamese patients.

“I hope Vietnamese scientists and physicians will make the most of this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and co-create effective, sustainable and accessible healthcare solutions for the people,” he said.

Du Lam