Hanoi, June 26, 2025 – Today, the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), organized the Viet Nam – South Korea Telehealth Workshop. The event brought together nearly 100 delegates from central agencies, the Departments of Health from 10 project provinces, international organizations, and leading South Korea and Viet Nam telehealth experts.

In his opening remarks at the workshop, Professor, Dr. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health and Chairman of the National Medical Council, emphasized: “I highly appreciate the efforts of UNDP as a whole and UNDP experts who have joined hands with the Ministry of Health to bring meaningful support to people in disadvantaged areas. This workshop is a valuable opportunity for us to learn from the experiences of other countries in remote medical examination and treatment, and to develop a joint plan to establish an appropriate legal framework for this field.”

Since 2020, the Ministry of Health and UNDP have implemented various initiatives to bring telehealth services to people in remote and rural areas, significantly contributing to the goal of leaving no one behind. Within the framework of the workshop, delegates shared implementation practices and international experiences and discussed policy recommendations to build a sustainable telehealth system that is aligned with the health sector’s digital transformation strategy.

In her speech, Ms. Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative of UNDP in Viet Nam, emphasized the importance of telehealth policy in promoting equity in healthcare:
“Because this project is not just about technology. It is about equity. And about delivering on the promise of SDG 3: health and well-being for all, at all ages.”

“UNDP remains committed to working with the Ministry of Health, provincial health departments, KOFIH and experts from the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, and our partners in Viet Nam to facilitate the development of the policies that will make this vision a reality. Together, we are building a more inclusive, resilient, and digitally connected health system.”

Mr. Cheon Joo Hwan, Director of the Global Project International Cooperation Division at the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), emphasized:
“The Telehealth project, aimed at enhancing access to healthcare services for vulnerable groups in Vietnam, not only provides technical support but also integrates information technology into healthcare services. Its goal is to improve both physical and cognitive access to healthcare for the Vietnamese people, and it is expected to become a valuable achievement in the cooperation between the two countries.”

The project “Telehealth to improve access to healthcare services for disadvantaged groups in Viet Nam,” funded by KOFIH and directly implemented by UNDP, is being carried out in 10 mountainous, remote, and disadvantaged provinces, including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre, and Ca Mau. As of June 2025, the project has supported the installation of information technology systems at 150 commune health stations, and over 117 key provincial healthcare staff have been trained in the first three provinces, paving the way for training expansion to thousands of other healthcare workers.

The workshop serves as an opportunity for all parties to reflect on the progress made, learn from international experiences, and build a strong policy foundation for telehealth - an essential approach to ensuring quality healthcare access for all Vietnamese people, especially vulnerable groups.

For more information, please kindly contact:
Phan Huong Giang
UNDP Media and Communications Analyst, Climate Change, Energy and Environment
Email: phan.huong.giang@undp.org
Mobile: 0948466688