Private healthcare in the digital revolution

Alongside public medical facilities, the private healthcare system in Dong Nai province is accelerating digital transformation and actively applying science and technology to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment.

123 Hung Vuong General Clinic Co., Ltd., Binh Phuoc ward, uses modern equipment in a closed process, delivering fast and accurate test results. Photo: Ngan Ha

Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW dated May 4, 2025, issued by the Politburo on private sector development (Resolution 68), outlines tasks and solutions to promote private enterprises in expanding investment and developing high-quality healthcare services. This undertaking contributes to reducing the strain on the public health system and enhancing the quality of healthcare for the population.

Mastering technology

In line with Government Project 06 on developing and applying population data, identification, and electronic authentication for national digital transformation in the 2022–2025 period with a vision to 2030, 100% of medical facilities in the province now allow patients to register for healthcare services using chip-based ID cards or via the Ministry of Public Security’s VNeID application and the VssID application.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Bach, Head of the Outpatient Department at Hoan My Dong Nai Hospital, noted: the hospital was recently certified by an Australian health organization for meeting international standards. All procedures, from patient admission, name entry, and registration to medical consultation, have been fully digitized, making the process fast and convenient.

Quan Trung, a resident of Dinh Quan commune, Dong Nai province, shared: “Before my checkup, I only needed to present my ID card to register and enter. The consultation and medication procedures were very quick. I didn’t have to wait long. I’m very satisfied with this system.”

Recognizing that test timing and results are critical for diagnosis and treatment, many private hospitals in the province have recently strengthened investment in infrastructure, machinery, and modern equipment for laboratory services. Among 12 private hospitals in Dong Nai, 2 have so far achieved ISO 15189:2022 international certification for laboratory testing.

Creating momentum for a private healthcare breakthrough

The private healthcare system in Dong Nai province has been making strong efforts to join the “digital transformation flow.” Entire medical examination and treatment processes have been digitized, aiming toward smart hospitals, paperless hospitals, and reduced administrative burdens for patients.

At Shing Mark University Hospital in Long Hung ward, advanced imaging technology has been in use since August 2023 to improve the effectiveness of diagnosing and screening for complex diseases. Notably, the hospital has adopted MRI software AIR Recon DL and MR29.1, which apply artificial intelligence for image reconstruction. Previously, patients had to undergo lengthy scans to obtain high-resolution images, as shorter scans often resulted in lower image quality and less accurate diagnoses. Now, with the AIR Recon DL algorithm, raw data is denoised during the scanning process, producing clearer images in a shorter amount of time.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuan Thanh, Specialist Level I, Deputy Head of the Imaging Department at Shing Mark University Hospital, said: “Previously, each MRI scan took 15 to 30 minutes; now, with the application of this software, it only takes 5 to 7 minutes. Image quality has also improved by 35 percent, producing sharper images and enabling faster, more accurate diagnoses. In addition to these benefits, the AIR Recon DL software helps reduce noise during MRI scans, making the experience less uncomfortable and easing symptoms like headaches for patients.”

On average, each day, 123 Hung Vuong General Clinic Co., Ltd. (Binh Phuoc ward) handles 150–200 patients across internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Each specialty is equipped with modern medical devices such as the Cobas E 411 immunoassay analyzer, Cobas C 111 biochemical analyzer, OLYMPUS CV-170 endoscope, and new-generation imported ultrasound machines (4D, 5D, echocardiography, color Doppler). Thanks to these machines, every stage follows a closed process, producing fast and accurate results for diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan, Specialist Level I, Director of 123 Hung Vuong General Clinic Co., Ltd., noted: “Patient management software is also one of our solutions for more systematic data storage. Each registered patient is issued a smart medical card with a barcode. All departments are digitally connected, storing and transmitting images conveniently for management and operations, while reducing waiting times for examination, treatment, prescriptions, and payment.”

Clearly, the private healthcare sector is facing new opportunities following the Politburo’s Resolution 68, which calls for institutional improvements, administrative reforms, and solutions to promote public–private partnerships in healthcare. This resolution is driving private healthcare to break through, working alongside the public system in caring for people’s health.

“Resolution 68 is creating favorable conditions for private medical facilities to participate more deeply in healthcare services, encouraging private enterprises to expand investment and develop high-quality medical services, thereby working together with public healthcare to better care for the people,” emphasized Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan.

From Resolution 68, the Party and State have clearly identified the crucial role of private enterprises in healthcare, not only reducing the burden on public hospitals but also providing more high-quality healthcare options for the people.

Dong Nai currently has 12 private general and specialized hospitals, 120 private general clinics, more than 3,000 specialized clinics, and over 4,000 pharmacies, drugstores, and medical service facilities – ranking among the top provinces nationwide in the number of private healthcare establishments.

Dr. Nguyen Van Binh, Specialist Level II, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, stated: Resolution 68 is creating a legal framework and opening opportunities for investors to access land, premises, and capital sources. Dong Nai’s health sector has also introduced special preferential policies, promoted socialization, and strongly reformed administrative procedures, cutting more than 30% of the processing time for businesses, both domestic and foreign, when investing in the development of private healthcare in the province.

By: Ngan Ha - Hanh Dung - Thu Hong

Translated by: Quynh Giao - Minho