Pilot project proves benefits of e-medical records

The pilot by the Ministry of Health (MoH) introduced software to compile citizens’
medical records in one electronic database in eight cities and provinces in
June. Participating localities are Hanoi and HCM City and the
provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Tinh, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong and Long An.

People who keep their medical records in the database said they were satisfied
with the convenience of the system.

Nguyen Van Thanh from Hanoi’s inner district of Ba Dinh said he no longer had
to carry all of his child’s written medical records every time he took him to a
hospital.

“Now at every hospital we go to, the doctors have already known about his
conditions,” he told Hai Quan (Customs) newspaper.

“If the database is used in the whole medical sector nationwide, it will take
the burden off our shoulders.”

In addition to keeping patients’ information—including blood type, diseases and
allergies—the database also helps synchronise all this information between
healthcare facilities at different levels (communal, district, provincial and
central), making it easier for citizens to get health checkups everywhere they
want.

Dao Ngoc Mai from Hanoi’s outer district of Gia Lam said: “Previously, we
farmers only went to hospitals when we got really sick. But the convenience of
the database encouraged us to get regular checkups and helped us keep track
with our health conditions.”

But some people are worried that health centres in their areas are not equipped
with proper facilities to implement the system.

In order to expand the system nationwide in July next year in accordance with
the MoH’s plan, Nguyen Khac Hien, Director of the Hanoi Department of Health
said more equipment and trained staff would be provided to wards and communes
within the city.

“All medical centres will have internet connections and use the same software
to access the database,” he said.

“Each citizen will get their own code, and their information will get updated
into the system from any healthcare facility they go to,” he added.

“We will also collaborate with schools and State-owned agencies to get medical
information of students and civil servants.”

Le Truong Giang, President of the HCM City Public Health Association, said that
health centres in the city should increase collaboration and exchange
information since most of them are using different software programs to keep
citizens’ medical records.

“They should also pay close attention to ensuring information security,” he
said.

“Electronic and social security numbers are among the
essential tools that will help to simplify medical procedures for
citizens,” said Nguyen Trong Khoa, Deputy Director of the MoH’s Department
of Medical Examination Management.

“With these tools, doctors can easily get hold of their patients’ health
conditions and patients will not be required to take unnecessary tests,
especially during emergencies,” he said.-VNS/VNA