“Promoting HCM City as a medical hub of ASEAN is vital to reduce the number of people travelling abroad for medical care and boost medical tourism,” said Assoc. Prof. Lương Ngọc Khuê, general director of the Administration of Medical Service under the Ministry of Health.

To accomplish this goal, the health sector must focus on training high-quality human resources, foster international cooperation in education and research and promote advanced medical technologies and digital transformation to improve the quality of healthcare services, Khuê said at a seminar held last week in HCM City.

HCM City is taking steps to elevate its healthcare services. Photo:VNA

With an initial funding of £75,000 ($90,630), in the next six months, KPMG in VietNam and Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) will support Ho Chi Minh City to conduct research on the two priorities mentioned above, and organise a study programme to the UK for healthcare experts of Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the G2G support in health innovation hub project, other major UK businesses and organisations have recently supported Ho Chi Minh City in healthcare development, including the recent partnership in disease surveillance project between OUCRU and CDC, and AstraZeneca Vietnam's R&D hub project.

Ho Chi Minh City and Liverpool are also exploring becoming partner cities in healthcare, connecting and developing together in this area.

“As we celebrate 50 years of deepening friendship and look together to the future, health will be a key pillar of our relationship. I am delighted that we have such a strong UK presence in the health sector here in Vietnam, with such potential for the future,” said consul general Emily Hamblin.

“As Ho Chi Minh City seeks to build on the excellent foundations of its health sector, I am proud of the collaboration between the UK government and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health in support of the city to become a regional health innovation hub in Southeast Asia. Today we are very pleased to announce the launch of a new Project funded by the UK Government that will see the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and KPMG in Vietnam work together with the City’s Department of Health in pursuit of this goal,” Hamblin added.

Luke Treloar, national head of Healthcare and Life Sciences at KPMG in Vietnam said, “Healthcare has played a pivotal role in UK-Vietnam bilateral relations. KPMG Healthcare Strategy is excited to cooperate with Oxford University Clinical Research Unit to help accelerate Ho Chi Minh City's transformation into a regional health innovation hub.”

Proper investment in medical facilities and modern equipment and devices are also needed to realise the goal, according to Khuê.

Vietnamese patients spend around US$2 billion a year travelling overseas for medical treatment.

According to Dr. Nguyễn Anh Dũng, deputy director of the city’s Department of Health, with around 130 hospitals, including 12 that are top-tier, fast-growing private healthcare and high adoption of advanced technologies in healthcare establishments, the city has huge potential to elevate its healthcare services.

The city’s health sector has implemented various measures to develop its healthcare system such as capacity improvement in disease prevention and control, investment in grassroots health networks, and fostering public health and emergency services.

It has also carried out seven major tasks to become a medical hub of ASEAN, including development of modern facilities, building high-tech medical zones under the hospital-university model, adoption of top-notch specialised technologies, and promoting a network of specialised healthcare facilities.

Research and development (R&D) and innovation in the healthcare sector have also been fostered.

The city is striving to provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services to meet the demand for examinations and treatment of locals and make it an attractive destination for medical tourism.