All Vietnamese citizens to have electronic health records: PM

Vietnam aims to expand the use of electronic health and criminal record certificates to 40 million people by 2025, according to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Presiding over an online conference on the nationwide expansion of the electronic health record system and the issuance of criminal record certificates via the VNeID app, the head of government stressed the importance of the move in modernizing public services.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the national online conference to pilot the electronic health book and issue criminal record certificates nationwide on the VNeID app. Photos: VGP

The Prime Minister, who chairs the National Committee on Digital Transformation, said the VNeID app has been piloted in the capital Hanoi, and the central province of Thua Thien-Hue since April, providing streamlined access to electronic health records and judicial certificates.

He emphasized that the nationwide expansion supports Vietnam's broader strategy to build a digital government, society, and economy to serve the people.

"This move is a crucial step in Vietnam’s digital transformation. The ultimate goal is to enhance public services and improve governance through digital tools, bringing tangible benefits to citizens and businesses. Vietnam is aiming for a digital government, digital society, and digital citizens, with the goal of the digital economy contributing 30% to the national economy by 2030," the Prime Minister said.

By integrating electronic health records and criminal record certificates into a single application, Vietnam aims to simplify processes for citizens while promoting transparency and convenience, generating significant cost savings, and increasing public trust in digital services. 

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, reported that more than 32 million electronic health records have been created so far, of which more than 14.6 million have been integrated into the VNeID application.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, delivers a speech at the conference.

"The electronic health record system is expected to save about VND1.15 trillion (US$46.6 million) annually in purchasing paper medical records for 230 million patient visits," Long said.

He added that it is estimated that the issuance of criminal record certificates on VNeID will save around VND400 billion ($16.2 million) in administrative costs every year.
Meanwhile, the system allows individuals to easily manage their medical histories and provides medical professionals with up-to-date information anytime, anywhere.

"In more than four months of the pilot, more than 50,000 criminal record certificates have been delivered via VNeID, accounting for 70% of the total number of judicial record certificate requests from the two localities of Hanoi and Thua Thien Hue," Long said.

He explained that previously there were many challenges with the documentation and procedures associated with the nationwide distribution of certificates of criminal record certificate. "People had to wait in line for a long time, even days, to get these certificates."

"Applying for a criminal record certificate is easy with VNeID. The process takes just a few minutes, and certificates can be delivered by email or mail without the need for an in-person visit," Long said. 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) pushes a button to launch electronic health records and criminal record certificates via the VNeID app.

Electronic judicial records certificates on VNeID provide reusability, digital signatures, and compliance with electronic transaction laws, eliminating the need for additional paper copies.

By reusing the results, government agencies can instantly apply electronic criminal record certificates to administrative proceedings and eliminate the need for paper copies, saving money and reducing costs.

Expanding the issuance of e-health and criminal record certificates via VNeID marks an important step in Vietnam's digital transformation. "For patients, the ability to access their health records digitally means greater control over their health and the convenience of sharing their medical history with healthcare providers without physical documents. This is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions or those who receive care from multiple healthcare providers," Long said.

He underlined that Vietnam's rollout of these services through VNeID is a critical step in achieving the country's long-term goals of building a digital government, improving public services, and fostering a more inclusive and connected society.