This is a new step in applying innovation to promote the community, especially young people, to participate in voluntary blood donation.
Integrated virtual reality technology: Humane solutions for public health
At the event, blood donors wore transparent integrated virtual reality glasses, allowing them to relax during the blood donation process while ensuring that medical professionals could continuously monitor the situation and interact with the donor.
The virtual reality experience integrated into blood donation is an initiative developed by Abbott in collaboration with Blood Centers of America (BCA) - the largest blood supply network in the United States, and has been introduced in 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 the digital garden, or join the game of building a robot team to explore the universe, bringing a sense of fun, excitement and stress relief.
Attending the event in Hanoi , Ms. Doan Thi Thanh Thuy, an employee of Abbott Vietnam, said that this was her first time donating blood so she was very nervous.
However, just a few minutes after wearing the virtual reality glasses, her anxiety seemed to disappear. "I felt like I was 'traveling' into a vivid virtual world. The seemingly stressful experience of donating blood became much lighter and more pleasant," she shared.
Abbott Vietnam employees enthusiastically participate in the annual voluntary blood donation program - Photo: LE TOAN
Doctor Nguyen Thi Hong Trang, Blood Transfusion Center, Viet Duc Friendship Hospital shared: "I find blood donation combined with virtual reality technology application a very good activity. When I personally experienced it, I also felt it was new and interesting.
This is a great combination to encourage more people to donate blood, especially those who are hesitant about donating blood or those who are participating for the first time."
According to a study conducted by Abbott in early 2024, 68% of people who felt anxious before donating blood said that virtual reality technology significantly reduced their stress. Notably, 89% of participants wanted to continue donating blood after the experience.
Since the Government launched the voluntary blood donation movement in 2000, this activity has spread strongly. In 2024, the whole country received more than 1.7 million units of blood, an increase of 7.4 times compared to 2000. Of which, 98% of the blood source came from voluntary donors.
Abbott's initiative promises to contribute to attracting the community, especially young people, to donate blood regularly, helping to ensure blood supply for emergency and treatment purposes.
In the near future, the integrated virtual reality experience for blood donation is expected to be introduced at blood transfusion centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, creating conditions for many people to access and experience.
Integrated virtual reality technology helps blood donors relax and reduce stress - Photo: HOANG ANH
Technology contributes to changing life
Innovating the blood donation experience is part of Abbott's ongoing journey to apply breakthrough technology to change the way health is managed and delivered, helping to improve treatment effectiveness and quality of life for people.
Abbott has brought to Vietnam many advanced solutions, typically the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system, which helps people with diabetes monitor their glucose levels with a small sensor worn on the back of their arm.
FreeStyle Libre not only provides current blood sugar levels but also blood sugar trends, supporting users in lifestyle adjustments and helping doctors make appropriate treatment decisions, helping to reduce the risk of complications.
Combined with Glucerna - a scientific nutritional formula that supports blood sugar control and improves insulin resistance, providing a comprehensive solution to help patients proactively live healthier every day.
Scientific nutritional products such as Ensure and PediaSure help boost immunity and improve malnutrition in many groups of people, from young children to the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
In the field of diagnostics and therapeutics, Abbott is constantly innovating to support medical teams in making effective and appropriate treatment decisions, thereby improving treatment effectiveness.
The Alinity testing system is a prime example, providing high-performance, high-precision biochemical, immunological, hematological and molecular testing solutions. The system enables automation of testing processes, supporting faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
In the field of cardiovascular medicine, Abbott has brought to Vietnam many modern medical technologies such as XIENCE drug-eluting stents, coronary artery optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology, or the Ensite X 3D mapping system in the treatment of arrhythmia.
Another breakthrough invention of Abbott is Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, which helps doctors close the hole in the heart of newborn babies weighing 700g without surgery. Recently, Abbott's HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device has also been successfully implanted in Vietnam, opening up opportunities to prolong and improve the quality of life for heart failure patients.
From virtual reality blood donation experiences to life-changing medical solutions, Abbott's innovations demonstrate a lasting commitment to improving the quality of life for communities in more than 160 countries.
Present in Vietnam since 1995, Abbott has invested more than VND 280 billion through programs to improve nutrition, support chronic disease treatment, provide professional training for medical staff and raise public awareness, while contributing to the sustainable development of the healthcare system.
Mr. Douglas Kuo, Vice President and General Director of Abbott Vietnam, shared on the occasion of Abbott's 30th anniversary of operations in Vietnam: "We are committed to improving the quality of healthcare through technology and innovation, to create a healthier and more sustainable future for the people of Vietnam."
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cong-nghe-thuc-te-ao-giup-gioi-tre-tu-tin-hon-khi-hien-mau-20250702085138547.htm
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