Promoting Vietnam-Sweden cooperation in healthcare: Workshop
WVR - On December 11, the Sweden-Vietnam Healthcare Innovation Workshop took place in Hanoi, gathering policymakers, hospital leaders, researchers, and experts to promote Vietnam's transition towards preventive, digital, and sustainable healthcare.
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Attendees included Mr. Johan Ndisi, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam; Ms. Pham Thi Minh Chau, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Health; Swedish academic and business partners such as the Karolinska Institute, Sophiahemmet University, AstraZeneca, Ericsson, and Getinge, along with directors of Vietnamese hospitals, numerous researchers, and digital health agencies.
The event is a key activity of the Vietnam-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Initiative, launched in 2024, aiming to enhance chronic disease management, modernize digital healthcare, and improve healthcare services in Vietnam.
Sweden's experience in healthcare data systems, clinical quality improvement, and sustainable medical technology will directly contribute practical solutions to Vietnamese hospitals and health agencies.
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| Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi stated that the cooperation between Sweden and Vietnam has developed strongly, from development support to joint research, trade, and innovation. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
In his opening remarks, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Johan Ndisi stated that the cooperation between Vietnam and Sweden has developed strongly; from development support to joint research, trade, and innovation. The efforts of agencies, organizations, and businesses have demonstrated the sustainability of the professional foundation and explain why cooperation continues to expand.
Ambassador Ndisi shared: “Sweden and Vietnam have built trust in the healthcare sector over decades. Today, we are transitioning from shared history to shared innovation, combining Sweden's expertise in digital health and sustainable development with Vietnam's aspiration to enhance healthcare quality for all citizens. This is a journey of turning ideas into actions for a better life.”
Additionally, the Ambassador pointed out that the Swedish government will continue to play an active role, accompanying many public-private partners in research, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
Through programs like laboratory linkages, research support, or specialized training courses, Sweden aims to help scientists expand their capabilities and improve research management efficiency.
The new research platform will focus on four priority areas: Digital transformation – including scalable smart health models and technological solutions; preventive healthcare – promoting early detection, disease prevention, and public health enhancement; infection control – contributing to national action programs on infection control and antibiotic management; capacity development and healthcare workforce training – improving professional skills, treatment quality, and strengthening the healthcare system.
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| Ms. Pham Thi Minh Chau, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Health, speaking at the event. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
For her part, Ms. Pham Thi Minh Chau, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Health, emphasized that the workshop reflects the strong cooperation spirit between Vietnam and Sweden in the healthcare sector. This relationship is built on trust, knowledge sharing, and a common goal of improving public health.
“The workshop takes place as Vietnam implements the Politburo's Resolution No. 72 on breakthrough solutions to enhance protection, care, and health improvement for the people.
This resolution outlines many strategies, including prevention over cure, shifting from passive treatment to proactive prevention, comprehensive health management, enhancing prevention, and early detection of non-communicable diseases,” the Deputy Director General clarified.
Sweden is internationally recognized for its advanced healthcare data ecosystem and quality registries, promoting evidence-based improvements in treatment outcomes and healthcare system efficiency. These experiences are guiding bilateral cooperation on digital health, clinical decision support, and quality improvement in Vietnam.
The cooperation is also strengthened through the strategic partnership agreement in science, innovation, and digital transformation between Vietnam and Sweden, signed in June 2025.
The agreement lays a solid foundation for data-driven healthcare, responsible use of healthcare data, and the development of digital hospitals. This is a testament to the shared commitment to combining Sweden's advanced medical technology with Vietnam's vision of high-quality, accessible healthcare.
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| Overview of the Workshop. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
By creating a common forum for policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and businesses, the conference aims to promote substantive cooperation and strengthen the foundation for long-term reform.
The expected outcomes from the exchange include effective, patient-centered care processes, enhanced use of healthcare data to improve quality and equity, modernization of hospital infrastructure with higher safety and productivity, and the development of sustainable partnerships aligned with Vietnam's national health priorities.
