Vietnam, South Korea promote telehealth for disadvantaged groups

THE HANOI TIMES — A South Korea-backed telehealth project “Telehealth to Improve Access to Healthcare Services for Disadvantaged Groups in Vietnam" has helped expand access to healthcare services for disadvantaged communities in Vietnam through technical support and IT integration.

Cheon Joo Hwan, Director of the Global Project International Cooperation Division at the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), shared this information at the Vietnam - South Korea Telehealth Workshop held in Hanoi this week.

“The project aims to improve physical and cognitive access to healthcare for Vietnamese people. It is expected to be a valuable achievement in cooperation between the two countries,” said Hwan.

Funded by KOFIH and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project is being carried out in ten mountainous and remote provinces, including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre, and Ca Mau.

As of June 2025, the project has supported the installation of information technology systems at 150 commune health stations. Over 117 key provincial healthcare staff have been trained in the first three provinces, paving the way for the training of thousands of other healthcare workers.

The workshop offers an opportunity for all parties to reflect on progress, learn from international experiences, and establish a robust policy foundation for telehealth, which is crucial for ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all Vietnamese people, particularly vulnerable groups.

According to Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health and Chairman of the National Medical Council, the ministry and the UNDP have implemented various initiatives since 2020 to make telehealth services available to people in remote and rural areas, which has significantly contributed to achieving the goal of leaving no one behind.

“I highly appreciate the efforts of UNDP experts who have joined hands with the MoH to bring meaningful support to people in disadvantaged areas. This workshop is a valuable opportunity for us to learn from other countries' experiences with remote medical examinations and treatments and to develop a joint plan to establish an appropriate legal framework for this field," Thuan stressed.

During the workshop, delegates shared implementation practices, international experiences, and policy recommendations to develop a sustainable telehealth system aligned with the health sector’s digital transformation strategy.

Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, emphasized the importance of telehealth policy in promoting healthcare equity. “Because this project is not just about technology. It is about equity. And about delivering on the promise of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): health and well-being for all, at all ages,” said Ramla Khalidi.

“UNDP remains committed to working with the MoH, provincial health departments, KOFIH, and experts from the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, and our partners in Vietnam to facilitate the development of the policies that will make this vision a reality. Together, we are building a more inclusive, resilient, and digitally connected health system,” she added.