UNDP, Japan help improve health care system in five localities

The program will be launched in five provinces in the Central, Central Highlands and Southern regions with a combined population of around seven million people including Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Ca Mau and Dak Lak.

The digital application "Doctor for Everyone" was jointly developed by UNDP and the Electronic Health Administration of the Ministry of Health in December 2020. 

This software is also being deployed in 537 grassroots health facilities in three northern provinces of Ha Giang, Bac Kan, and Lang Son. 

In the implementation phase in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Ca Mau and Dak Lak, more than 2,000 healthcare staff at more than 800 grassroots health facilities will be trained and connected to provide telemedicine services. 

Based on a website platform and smartphone application, this solution will allow people in rural locations to gain access to quality medical examination and treatment services in their district, thereby minimizing overcrowding in province and city-level health facilities. 

Additionally, it enables district and commune healthcare personnel to consult with peers and improve their professional skills.

This is an activity of the Government of Japan funded project "COVID-19 Response for Strengthening Vaccine Access and Health System Capacity". 

This project is providing these five provinces with information technology equipment, including a server located at the provincial Departments of Health, 15 sets of desktop computers, cameras, and loudspeakers for 15 commune health stations, and training on how to use and implement telehealth using the "Doctor for Everyone" software.

Addressing the ceremony, the UNDP Resident Representative in Viet Nam Ramla Khalidi, affirmed that UNDP's readiness to further deepen its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial People's Committees of five provinces, contributing to a strengthened healthcare system at the grassroots level, using innovation and digital solutions.

Under another project entitled Peace Village, ten storm-resilient commune health stations will be built and upgraded, and a telehealth function room will also be set up at each commune health station in A Luoi District, Thua Thien Hue province, she added.