Abbott Vietnam integrates virtual reality technology into voluntary blood donation

Integrated virtual reality technology helps reduce stress for blood donors.

A humane solution for public health.

At the event, blood donors experienced integrated virtual reality through a transparent headset, allowing them to relax throughout the blood donation process while ensuring that medical professionals could continuously monitor their condition and interact with them.

This initiative, developed in collaboration between Abbott and Blood Centers of America (BCA) – the largest blood supply network in the United States – was introduced as part of Abbott's voluntary blood donation program in Vietnam in 2024. This year, the experience is upgraded with two options: relax with music and plant trees in a digital garden, or participate in a game of building a robot team to explore space.

Ms. Doan Thi Thanh Thuy, an employee of Abbott Vietnam, said this was her first time donating blood. Just a few minutes after putting on the virtual reality glasses, her anxiety seemed to disappear. "I felt like I was 'traveling' into a vibrant virtual world . The blood donation experience, which I thought would be stressful, became much more relaxed and pleasant," she shared.

Huynh Chuc Phuong, a student at Saigon University, said: “The seed-planting game with its lively atmosphere and cheerful music helped me forget my anxiety, while still being able to hear the instructions from the medical staff. The blood donation process was very smooth and quick; I didn't even realize it was over.”

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Trang, from the Blood Transfusion Center at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, shared: “I think combining blood donation with virtual reality technology is a very good initiative. This is a great combination to encourage more people to participate in blood donation, especially those who are hesitant about donating blood or those participating for the first time.”

According to statistics, in 2024, the whole country received more than 1.7 million units of blood, a 7.4-fold increase compared to 2000. Of this, 98% of the blood came from voluntary donors.

Abbott's initiative promises to help attract the community, especially young people, to participate in regular blood donation, helping to ensure a sufficient blood supply for emergency and treatment purposes. In the near future, this initiative is expected to be introduced at blood transfusion centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making it accessible and experienceable for more people.

30 years of partnership with Vietnam

The application of technology to promote voluntary blood donation not only demonstrates a spirit of innovation for the community, but also serves as proof of Abbott's 30-year journey of accompanying the health of the Vietnamese people.

Present in Vietnam since 1995, Abbott has invested over VND 280 billion through programs aimed at improving nutrition, supporting the treatment of chronic diseases, providing professional training for healthcare workers, and raising public awareness. These efforts contribute to the sustainable development of the healthcare system, bringing tangible benefits to millions of people.

Specifically, Abbott has been collaborating with partners such as the Vietnam Pediatric Association to implement nutritional screening, assessment, and intervention programs, contributing to the goal of reducing the rate of stunting in children as part of the national nutrition strategy for the period 2021-2030.

From 2006 to 2024, Abbott, in collaboration with the humanitarian organization Crosspoint and Americares, improved nutrition for more than 2,000 children annually in areas with high rates of malnutrition through training, provision of food production equipment, medical diagnostic tools, educational materials, and PediaSure medical nutrition products.

Abbott has also partnered with the Vietnam Women's Union for over a decade to implement healthcare, nutrition, and health education programs for women nationwide, contributing to improving the quality of life for millions of families.

Since 2005, the company has supported disease and disaster relief efforts in Vietnam with medicines, medical equipment, and nutritional products. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott supported healthcare workers in the worst hotspots with millions of Ensure milk products, rapid testing kits, and protective equipment for doctors and nurses at frontline hospitals.

Douglas Kuo, Vice President and General Manager of Abbott Vietnam, shared on the occasion of Abbott's 30th anniversary in Vietnam: “We are committed to improving the quality of healthcare through technology and innovation to build a healthier and more sustainable future for the people of Vietnam.”

LINH LINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/abbott-viet-nam-dua-cong-nghe-thuc-te-ao-tich-hop-vao-hien-mau-tinh-nguyen-post802861.html