Private healthcare breaks through in the digital revolution

In the context of the digital revolution that is comprehensively changing all fields, private healthcare has emerged as an important force, contributing to improving service quality, expanding access and promoting innovation in healthcare.

Digital transformation is not only a matter of technology, but also a comprehensive restructuring of the way hospitals are organized, operated, and served.

Increase both quality and quantity

According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health , by July 2025, the country will have more than 400 licensed private hospitals, accounting for 24% of the total 1,665 hospitals. The number of private medical facilities participating in health insurance examination and treatment has also increased sharply, with 1,132 units signing contracts by 2024, 2.1 times higher than in 2015.

Many private facilities such as Vinmec, Tam Anh, Hop Luc, Medlatec, Hai Phong International, Saigon ITO, Hung Vuong... have become prestigious medical brands. Not only expanding their scale, many units have also upgraded their clinics into hospitals, opening specialized departments to meet the increasing demand.

Digital transformation is a practical requirement associated with the daily operations of hospitals, especially private hospitals - where patients are at the center.

2025 is identified as the year of acceleration in the digital transformation roadmap at private healthcare facilities. The Vietnam Private Hospital Association has actively promoted and disseminated mechanisms and policies on digital transformation. In particular, the Association plays a role in connecting cooperation between technology enterprises, technical service providers and hospitals to deploy digital infrastructure, helping the digitalization process take place quickly, smoothly and effectively.

Prof. Nguyen Van De, Chairman of the Vietnam Private Hospital Association, emphasized that private medical facilities need to unify their awareness of the importance of digital transformation, because this is an inevitable trend, and there is no other more feasible and optimal option in the era of technology 4.0.

According to him, digital transformation is not only to implement the Government 's national digital transformation program and the Ministry of Health's digital transformation project, but also a practical requirement associated with the daily operations of hospitals, especially private hospitals, where patients are considered the center, special customers who need to be served wholeheartedly and effectively.

Therefore, promoting digital transformation is something that must be done immediately and cannot be delayed. Investors and hospital leaders need to create the most favorable conditions, prioritize capital and human resources, and at the same time demonstrate their determination to innovate to find suitable solutions to promote the implementation of electronic medical records.

A typical example of digital transformation implementation is the Medlatec healthcare system. According to Master, Doctor of Science Dao Danh Vinh, Director of the Medlatec Imaging Diagnostic Center, in the context that many private healthcare units are still facing difficulties and obstacles in the digital transformation process, the Medlatec Healthcare System has affirmed its pioneering position with a methodical and comprehensive approach.

With a long-term vision and clear strategy, Medlatec has proactively invested in developing technology infrastructure, building a smart hospital management software ecosystem and applying artificial intelligence (AI) to support diagnosis and treatment.

In particular, the unit has widely deployed online medical services such as online medical examination and treatment registration, returning test results via app, SMS or email, along with remote medical examination. These solutions not only improve management efficiency and patient experience but also contribute significantly to the goal of national digital health transformation.

As for Duc Minh General Hospital in Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang). Although it is a private hospital in the northern border area, since its first days of operation, the hospital has applied electronic medical records in all departments, both inpatient and outpatient. Thanks to this system, the medical examination and treatment process is shortened and transparent, allowing doctors to retrieve patient information in just a few seconds.

In addition, the Hospital also applies modern technologies such as the medical image archiving and communication system (PACS), automatic testing, and two-way data communication to optimize the treatment process, minimize medical errors, and improve service quality.

Similarly, the Hai Phong International General Hospital and Hai Phong International Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital have achieved many successes thanks to the application of digital technology. Accordingly, the system won the first prize at the city level thanks to the implementation of electronic codes, payment of hospital fees by QR code and application of solutions to limit professional errors. After 6 years of using electronic medical records, the system has integrated many features such as quick lookup connection, online examination support, payment via e-wallet, helping to reduce operating costs and increase transparency in data management.

Comprehensive restructuring and reform

Digital transformation is not just a matter of technology but a comprehensive restructuring of the organization, operation and service in hospitals. Dr. Nguyen Bao Uyen, CEO of Hop Luc Healthcare System, said that the important thing is to change employees' awareness of the benefits of digital transformation. Electronic medical records are just the first step, the long-term goal is to build an optimal, transparent smart hospital model and serve patients better.

Investment costs are a common concern for many managers. Depending on the scale of implementation, costs can reach tens of billions of VND, requiring real operational efficiency and avoiding formality.

Many hospitals still face problems such as substandard medical record software, incompatibility with health insurance, and failure to support printing of paper records, leading to billing. Some units do not comply with medical identification codes, making it difficult to connect data. In addition, weak technology infrastructure and unskilled human resources also affect implementation efficiency.

In the digital transformation race, healthcare facilities are the drivers, while technology companies are the architects who design and build the system. However, technology is only valuable when it is effectively applied in practice, improving the quality of operations and services. This requires a combination of appropriate solutions and determination to change from the hospital itself.

Digital transformation requires a detailed plan: survey, training, testing, evaluation, data conversion. Hospitals need to choose the right suppliers, take advantage of existing infrastructure and thoroughly train human resources. There is no universal solution, only a solution suitable for each situation. Therefore, many experts suggest that the Government should have a financial support policy, especially for the private sector and lower-level hospitals.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/y-te-tu-nhan-but-pha-trong-cuoc-cach-mang-so-d350088.html