Nearly 300 experts and doctors attend the Dong Nai health sector scientific and technical seminar

On November 29, the Dong Nai Department of Health held its 2025 Scientific and Technical Seminar for the provincial health sector, themed “Cardiovascular-Metabolic Diseases: Linked to Primary Care and Public Health,” drawing nearly 300 domestic and international experts and doctors.

Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, delivers the opening speech at the conference. Photo: Xuan Hiep

Director of Dong Nai Department of Health Do Thi Nguyen emphasized that the seminar aims to create a forum for medical staff across the province to update their knowledge, access modern trends, and exchange solutions to improve primary healthcare quality, while strengthening connections among medical units in Dong Nai. The presentations delivered at the event combined practical insights with strategic guidance, covering topics from healthcare data ecosystems and risk management to lifestyle medicine and strengthening primary healthcare capacity.

According to the Department of Health’s leadership, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are on the rise, significantly affecting public health and placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system along with related issues. Therefore, early detection and control of these conditions at the grassroots healthcare level is critically important.

Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, presents flowers to the speakers. Photo: Xuan Hiep

The conference also marked a significant milestone for Dong Nai’s health sector in digital transformation, with a focus on building a unified and interconnected healthcare data ecosystem. This system aims to standardize and connect data across healthcare levels, support continuous health management of people, integrate electronic health records, and provide a foundation for applying artificial intelligence to improve management efficiency and the quality of primary healthcare.

At the conference, delegates heard the presentation by Dr.-PhD Truong Van Dat, Deputy Head of the Planning and General Department (Ministry of Health), on "Breakthroughs in building Dong Nai’s healthcare data ecosystem on a digital platform." Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyen Van Tri, President of the Geriatrics Association and Head of the General Internal Medicine – Geriatrics Department at Nguyen Tat Thanh University (Ho Chi Minh City), discussed "Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Syndrome – Clinical Significance and Optimal Treatment Strategies." Dr.-Doctor Le Van Nam, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Health Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, shared insights on "Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Intervention: Managing Difficult Cases in Newly Established Hospitals."

Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyen Van Tri noted that in the past, conditions such as kidney failure, heart disease, and diabetes were treated separately. This approach delayed interventions, as treatment only began after each disease appeared. Today, doctors proactively treat patients based on metabolic syndrome. Early management of this syndrome significantly reduces the risk of kidney and heart disease. This approach aligns with the principles of early treatment, early diagnosis, and early detection, in line with the Ministry of Health’s new policies.

On November 30, the conference continued with presentations by international experts.

By Hanh Dung, Xuan Hiep – Translated by Dang Huyen, Thu Ha