Nghe An is a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence to combat blindness.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Thanh Chung

On the morning of December 16th, the Nghe An Department of Health and the Nghe An Eye Hospital organized a conference to summarize the Blindness Prevention Program for the period 2022–2025.

Attending the conference were: Mr. Hoang Phu Hien – Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Ms. Le Thi Hoai Chung – Director of the Department of Health; and representatives from hospitals and medical universities inside and outside the province.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Le, Specialist Doctor Level 2 - Deputy Director of the Department of Health, opened the conference.

During the period 2022-2025, with the close attention and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee; the support of international organizations; and the efforts of medical staff from the provincial to the village level, Nghe An province has achieved many positive results in the prevention and control of blindness.

Accordingly, Nghe An province has successfully controlled the blindness rate among people aged 50 and above at 1.46%, meeting the planned target (<1.5%). The province's cataract surgery capacity continues to be a highlight, with over 24,000 cases per year. The number of cataract surgeries reached 62 cases per 10,000 people, significantly higher than the national average.

The grassroots healthcare network continues to be strongly strengthened. Nghe An has brought healthcare services closer to the people by conducting screening examinations in 130 communes/wards each year; and training more than 3,500 grassroots healthcare workers annually.

Associate Professor, Doctor Tran Tat Thang - Director of Nghe An Eye Hospital, reported on the work of blindness prevention and control in Nghe An province for the period 2022-2025.

In particular, Nghe An is one of the pioneering localities in applying artificial intelligence in retinal disease screening. This initiative has helped people in remote areas such as Quy Chau and Que Phong... to receive early diagnosis of retinal lesions without having to be immediately referred to higher-level hospitals.

Despite its outstanding achievements, Nghe An still faces challenges in the prevention and control of blindness, including: Ineffective management of chronic eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma; low number of students screened compared to the province's school population (only about 54% of the plan); and weak and superficial inter-specialty (Ophthalmology - Endocrinology) and inter-sectoral (Health - Education) coordination in some localities.

Comrade Hoang Phu Hien presented Certificates of Commendation to 3 collectives that have achieved many accomplishments in implementing blindness prevention and control during the 2022-2025 period.

At the conference, delegates reviewed the results of blindness prevention and control during the 2022-2025 period; and proposed strategies and solutions for blindness prevention and control in the 2026-2030 period, aiming for the ultimate goal of protecting eyesight and improving the quality of life for the people of the province.

During the period 2026-2030, to effectively implement blindness prevention and control, the Nghe An Health Department will focus on advising the Provincial People's Committee to strengthen the Provincial Steering Committee for Blindness Prevention and Control; and developing the Nghe An Eye Hospital into a specialized center for the North Central region. The focus of blindness prevention and control will shift from "treating blindness" to "managing chronic diseases"; increasing the rate of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy management through specialized intervention packages and electronic health record management.

Comrade Le Thi Hoai Chung – Director of the Department of Health – presented Certificates of Commendation from the Department of Health to outstanding collectives and individuals in the work of blindness prevention and control.

The health sector continues to promote comprehensive digital transformation, perfecting the province-wide database on blindness prevention and control, further expanding the application of artificial intelligence and telemedicine to bridge the healthcare gap between regions; closely coordinating with the Department of Education and Training to control refractive errors and ensure a safe school environment for children's vision; maximizing technical and resource support from international organizations, as well as technology transfer from the National Eye Hospital.

At the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Phu Hien presented Certificates of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to 3 collectives and 5 individuals who have achieved many accomplishments in the prevention and control of blindness in Nghe An province during the 2022-2025 period. Mr. Le Hoai Chung – Director of the Department of Health – also presented Certificates of Merit from the Department of Health to outstanding collectives and individuals in the work of blindness prevention and control.

Department of Health Education and Communication (according to Nghe An Newspaper) An

Source: https://yte.nghean.gov.vn/tin-hoat-dong/nghe-an-tien-phong-trong-viec-ung-dung-tri-tue-nhan-tao-phong-chong-mu-loa-987918