The health care financing administration

Vietnamese prioritise health, finance following pandemic: survey

February 25, 2021 by vietnamnews.vn

A year on since the Covid-19 pandemic first began Vietnamese are taking more control of their health and finance, driving greater interest in fitness and well-being along with insurance and retirement planning. — Photo courtesy of Manulife

HCM CITY — A year on since the Covid-19 pandemic first began Vietnamese are taking more control of their health and finance, driving greater interest in fitness and well-being along with insurance and retirement planning, as Asia looks to the longer-term impact of the disease, according to new research from Manulife.

The latest version of the ‘Manulife Asia Care Survey’ takes a closer look into customers’ concerns, priorities and aspirations, polling 4,000 people across the region who either own insurance or intend to buy it in the next six months, including around 520 in Việt Nam.

Nearly all (95 per cent) of those who worry most about Covid have made an effort on a personal level to improve their overall health, mostly through more regular exercise (58 per cent) and improved diet (54 per cent).

In Việt Nam, all the respondents said they had taken action to help them manage Covid, with 72 per cent saying this included doing more regular exercise. More people in Hà Nội (85 per cent) do more regular exercise than in HCM City (73 per cent).

Almost everyone is self-monitoring health, and Vietnamese pay the most attention to the number of steps walked (44 per cent) among the four emerging markets covered in the survey, against a regional average of 38 per cent.

Three out of five (60 per cent) of Vietnamese also own fitness wearables, well above the regional average of 46 per cent.

A large majority of Vietnamese (79 per cent) also said retirement planning has become more important since Covid-19 started, below the Philippines (90 per cent), Indonesia (88 per cent) and Malaysia (83 per cent) but higher than all the developed markets.

The regional average is 73 per cent.

This high level of interest in retirement ties in with their concerns about personal wealth.

In Việt Nam, more than half (52 per cent) thought their personal wealth would decline as a result of Covid-19. The rate was only higher in Hong Kong (58 per cent) and Singapore (55 per cent).

Aligned with taking better control of health and finance is an interest to buy new insurance.

In Việt Nam, a remarkable nine out of ten (91 per cent) said they intend to buy new insurance in the next six months, higher than anywhere else in the region. The regional average is 71 per cent.

The Vietnamese respondents were most interested in life, hospitalisation, accident and critical illness cover.

Three quarters (75 per cent) of Vietnamese respondents, again more than anywhere else in the region, said they prefer to manage their policies through digital means such as mobile apps, including for claims and payment.

The survey found that 71 per cent of them had spoken to an agent about purchasing insurance, well above the regional average of 64 per cent, with only Hong Kong (77 per cent) and mainland China (76 per cent) scoring higher.

“Vietnamese insurance customers are seeking more digital touchpoints that are safe, simple and convenient,” Sang Lee, CEO of Manulife Vietnam, said.

“While those digital habits are here for the long term, a good many still like to speak to their agents. This underscores the importance of our omnichannel approach, one that fully integrates digital, while maximising our human qualities of empathy, trust and a holistic understanding of our customers’ needs.” — VNS

Robot-assisted surgery trending in Vietnam’s major cities

February 28, 2019 by tuoitrenews.vn

An increasing number of hospitals in Vietnam are adding robotic surgery to their medical arsenal, hoping the extra set of mechanical hands will help give their patients some much needed relief.

Robotic surgery, computer-assisted surgery, and robot-assisted surgery are terms for technological developments that use robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures.

In 2014, the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi was the first to deploy the U.S.-made DaVinci surgery system for children’s endoscopic operations.

Between 2016 and 2017, more modern versions of the DaVinci robot began appearing at Binh Dan Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital, both located in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi.

Dr. Pham Gia Hien, head of the pediatric neurosurgery center of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, stressed that this type of technology, despite its astronomical cost, is the future of surgery.

A wonder tool for surgeons

In February 2019, the People’s Hospital 115 in Ho Chi Minh City amazed medical experts with a successful brain operation using a system known as Modus V Synaptive II from Canada.

This state-of-the-art surgery tool cost US$2.3 million, and marked its host hospital as the pioneer in applying robotic assistance in neurosurgery.

The equipment will aid the hospital’s staff with its 2,350 yearly neurological operations.

On February 15, surgeons at the People’s Hospital 115 spent a mere 1.5 hours performing a successful brain tumor operation on a female patient from Tay Ninh, a province neighboring Ho Chi Minh City.

Such an achievement came with the expertise from Dr. Chu Tan Si – head of the nerve surgery department – who undertook training in the U.S. in 2017 and in Switzerland in 2018, and the assistance of Professor Amin Kassam – vice-president of neurosciences at Aurora Health Care, a U.S.-based non-profit health care network.

“Thanks to the robotic system, operations can take place in a much shorter amount of time compared to microsurgery – that is, using a microscope without any robotic navigation,” Dr. Si said.

“Instead of looking at your hands, you look at a large screen while manipulating the robotic system.”

A group of doctors perform a surgery using computer-assisted technology. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to its website, Modus V Synaptive II provides a larger field of view, a higher depth of field and more natural color reproduction.

This makes for a clear view of critical anatomical structures throughout the operation.

Dr. Si noted the benefits that such robotic surgery offers to both surgeons and patients.

“It adds confidence to the doctor with its AI [artificial intelligence] technology that can tell the difference between sensory neurotransmitters and can even advise the best approach route to avoid damage.”

Less pain, quicker recovery, lower cost

To the patients, computer-assisted surgery means fast-track recovery and reduced pain.

An elderly patient at Binh Dan Hospital could move around and eat normally only two days after her liver removal operation in August 2017.

“The surgeons and their robotic arms made this surgery such an easy pill to swallow. Now I can be up and running again,” the patient said.

As proof of the minimal pain robotically-assisted surgery can offer, doctors at Cho Ray Hospital have performed two successful live kidney transplants using robotic assistance.

T.V.T., a 59-year-old patient from the coastal city of Vung Tau, managed to walk about by himself and eat light rice porridge only days after his esophageal surgery here.

Dr. Do Ba Hung, deputy director of Binh Dan Hospital, said that robotic surgery allows a 3D field of view with high-definition resolution and a 12x magnification effect.

Binh Dan Hospital now offers robotic surgery service for urinary excretion operations and general surgery, with prices ranging around VND117-131 million ($5,000-5,600).

This amount is much lower than that for the same service in Singapore (around $26,000) and in the U.S. (around $41,000).

Also, the medical insurance policy has recently approved its coverage of certain robotic surgery types such as spinal and joint replacement operations.

According to Nguyen Ta Tinh, head of the policy faculty from Vietnam Social Security, children, the elderly and people who have made contributions to the country are entitled to 40 percent of the total cost, and regular patients 30 percent.

Surgeons operate the robotic arms while watching an HD screen. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A cause for concern

The robotic systems are an expensive investment, priced from $2.3 million to $3.5 million, according to data gathered by TuoiTre (Youth) newspaper.

Surveys have revealed that there are around 3,000 robotic surgery systems in the U.S., 100 in South Korea and around ten in Vietnam.

Besides those available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital in the northern province of Quang Ninh performed for the first time a hysterectomy surgery on a 49-year-old patient from Van Don District in November 2018.

Its director, Nguyen Quoc Hung, said that he felt a need for a more powerful device after this test run.

Robotic surgery systems, according to medical experts, is a cautious investment as the cost can be up to $4.3 million apiece.

Hospitals are advised to think twice regarding the functionality of the tool and their target patients.

According to Dr. Hien from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, the cost of robotic surgery, for the patient, is 20 times as high as that of regular endoscopic operations.

He cautions against a technology race, quoting what happened in the Philippines, where hospitals paid through the nose for devices that fall into disuse because of understaffing.

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AstraZeneca championing public-private partnerships

February 25, 2021 by www.vir.com.vn

Last year was very taxing for the healthcare sector as the pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health. How has AstraZeneca Vietnam contributed to increasing patient access over the past year?

1532 p12 astrazeneca championing public private partnerships

Nitin Kapoor, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam

While it has been a real test to the world, our innovative and patient-centric spirit has helped us not only rise to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic but also ensure that we leave no patients or healthcare professionals behind in this trying time. As we are celebrating Doctors’ Day in Vietnam, I want to thank all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff for their tireless efforts to keep us safe.

Globally and in Vietnam, AstraZeneca is committed to ensuring broad and equitable access to our COVID-19 vaccine. We are proud and thankful for the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Drug Administration of Vietnam’s conditional authorisation of our COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca for emergency use. We are partnering with Vietnam Vaccine JSC to deliver 30 million doses of the vaccine to the country, starting from the first half of 2021.

To support Vietnam’s healthcare system when it faced great shortages, last year AstraZeneca donated 400,000 medical masks to the MoH and personal protective equipment to the National Hospital for Tropical Disease. Our contributions to Vietnam’s fight against the pandemic were recognised with the Minister of Health’s Award of Excellence.

In July, our major structural and operational transformation was completed when we became one of the first pharmaceutical multinationals to successfully transition to a foreign-invested enterprise and sign a landmark local distribution partnership. This change has allowed us to better deliver our innovative, high quality medicines to millions of Vietnamese patients.

We have also accelerated our digital transformation, reaching over 80,000 healthcare professionals virtually even during pandemic restrictions and supporting major hospitals in their telehealth and digital healthcare education programmes, all to ensure that patients’ access to healthcare is not disrupted.

Along with the global health crisis, the Vietnamese healthcare sector is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). How important is partnership in easing this in the community?

The increasing healthcare needs and growing NCD burden require that we form robust and comprehensive collaborations in order to achieve better health outcomes for patients. Public-private partnerships also play a vital role as they can contribute diverse and complementary resources towards a mutual goal in a shorter time. AstraZeneca Vietnam’s mission is to reduce NCD burden in Vietnam, and we have been a long-term partner with the government, the MoH, and healthcare institutions to maximise our collective impact.

In our 27-year operations in Vietnam, our most notable sustainability programmes include the Healthy Lung Programme where we partner with the Medical Service Administration and respiratory medical associations to improve outpatient management for asthma, COPD, and lung cancer; and the Young Health Programme through which we work with the MoH and Plan International to reduce NCD risk behaviours amongst young people. In 2018 and 2019, to raise awareness of NCDs and increase their early detection, we also organised two community days in Hanoi where our volunteers provided 1,000 free screenings and consultation sessions.

Reflecting on this past year, what do you think is the biggest lesson from COVID-19, and how can we avoid letting it happen again?

These are tough questions that I’m sure many world leaders have been asking. What we’ve witnessed is how vulnerable the global health system is in the face of crises such as pandemics or natural disasters. COVID-19 has really highlighted the importance of early detection of diseases, disaster contingency plans and preparedness, trust in science, transparent and decisive leadership, and cross-border and cross-sectoral partnership.

The Vietnamese government and the MoH have demonstrated the best practice in pandemic response – leading the country effectively through the pandemic and protecting lives, while maintaining remarkable economic growth.

As crises will continue to happen in the future whether we like it or not, it’s vital that we increase healthcare systems’ sustainability and resilience so that they are resistant to whatever comes in their way. AstraZeneca Vietnam is contributing our part via two programmes – one is the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience with the World Economic Forum, London School of Economics, and Vietnam’s Health Strategy and Policy Institute to generate insights on how Vietnam’s healthcare system can be strengthened. The other one is Green Energy for Health, where we donate solar energy systems to local healthcare stations in disadvantaged areas, allowing them to save costs and improve energy supply stability.

By Bich Thuy

US companies continue to see tremendous investment opportunities in Vietnam

July 11, 2020 by hanoitimes.vn

The Hanoitimes – On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the US-Vietnam diplomatic relations, US companies shared with Hanoitimes their expectations about opportunities for their investment expansions in Vietnam.

Dr. Mason Cobb, chairman of Victoria Healthcare International Clinics

After Vietnam achieved the middle income status and ODA decreased, the Vietnamese government became more accommodating for investment and that continues to this day.

Dr. Mason Cobb, chairman of Victoria Healthcare International Clinics

However, it is still not a truly level playing field with local companies. The attitude and perception, and spirit of cooperation has become much warmer and more understanding than during that difficult middle period.

More importantly, the company’s mission in healthcare as primarily helping Vietnam build a world-class healthcare system. To that end, the company brings Vietnamese to the US and bring educational and other assets to Vietnam to help increase understanding and skills.

AmCham Healthcare Committee Mission has stated: “We are a key strategic partner for promoting health and wellness and shaping the healthcare industry in Vietnam.”

Regarding the healthcare sector, I think there are still regulatory hurdles that could dampen investment atmosphere. For example, the Ministry of Health has proposed that all foreign doctors must speak fluent Vietnamese. In effect, there would be an exodus of international healthcare and its standards. This will inhibit achieving a truly international standard for healthcare here by essentially expelling international influences.

Vietnam is quite unique in its “healthcare consumer”: several attempts from highly developed countries have floundered for not understanding the Vietnamese patient’s unique perceptions. In the best of conditions this must be carefully considered by foreign healthcare investors.

Vietnam has shown itself to be best in the world at handling the Covid-19 pandemic. This has spawned a motivation to make the Vietnamese healthcare system world-class. Individual patient healthcare is quite different, however, and Vietnam will at once be both motivated but headstrong with a tendency to both court foreign investment and discount their contribution.

In fact, continuing a cooperative and supportive relationship with the international medical community is the shortest and surest path to the goal of world-class healthcare.

Decreasing the regulatory burden and reinforcing fair application of rules. Easy access to decision makers in the Vietnamese government is also key.

We will continue to grow and develop our reach and technical skills. We will also invest in human capital with input from the US. We can really contribute to healthcare in Vietnam through a more integrated system, incorporating retail pharmacy, insurance, education, and patient care as a seamless system that is both very efficient and patient-friendly.

Nguyen Ba Luan, country president of Cargill Vietnam

The Vietnamese government should be commended for transforming the country over many years from a centrally planned into a market economy. This transformation has dramatically increased US foreign investment in Vietnam.

Nguyen Ba Luan, country president of Cargill Vietnam

The approach by the Vietnamese government to attract foreign investment and encourage open and free global trade has benefitted the Vietnamese economy and its agricultural and food sector. It has enabled more foreign investment and Cargill has invested heavily in Vietnam since 1995, after the significant event of the normalization of the diplomatic relationship between Vietnam and the US.

The transformation of Vietnam economy by the government has enabled Cargill to grow its business significantly in the country over the past 25 years and now has over 1,500 employees working across 23 locations. Cargill remains committed to conducting its business in the country with the highest level of integrity, accountability and responsibility.

US companies in Vietnam, who can demonstrate social tangible benefits by not only growing the Vietnamese economy but have a strong local Corporate Social Responsibility program improve the relationship between the two countries.

Cargill also enhanced diplomacy between the two countries by acting as a conduction between the US and Vietnam agricultural and food sector by bringing best practices to the Vietnamese sector and working through two-way trade issues as they arise.

While the Vietnamese government is to be congratulated for its on-going efforts in attracting foreign investment, further supporting incentives in the form of tax schemes will encourage more foreign investment.

Further reform of its legal framework relating to business and foreign investment is encouraged and the continuation of aligning the country with international food, export and import standards and practices will give US companies more confidence to grow and invest in Vietnam.

The continuation of building an advanced and integrated transport infrastructure will not only greatly improve the Vietnamese economy but will attract further investment from US companies especially in the Food & Agricultural sector.

Further alignment of policies with international standards, expansion of tax investment schemes and improvements to legal business framework and regulations and policies will go a long way in making Vietnam a for attractive destination for US companies looking to invest.

Also, continuation of dialogue between the Vietnamese government and US companies in Vietnam on policy reform, global best practices and any regulation, legal or policy obstacles will continue to attract further foreign investment by US companies.

Vietnam is important to Cargill globally. We continue to see tremendous opportunity in Vietnam and we intend to keep investing in and growing our business here, both in terms of capacity and capabilities, talents and communities as we fulfill our purpose of nourishing the world.