Hue, 6 June 2024: ERIA, Medical Excellence Japan (MEJ), and Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Hue UMP) co-organised a forum entitled 'Digital Transformation in Healthcare with Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Health.' Following three previous forum meetings focusing on various healthcare agendas in 2023, the Hue meeting was the fourth in a series of multisectoral project collaborations in health service delivery and healthcare industry development between Medical Excellence Viet Nam (MEV) and MEJ. The Fourth MEV-MEJ forum welcomed over 250 participants, combining an on-site audience with online participants mainly from the Asia region.

The forum commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy, Rector of Hue UMP, celebrating the special occasion dedicated to the digital health transformation, not only in healthcare services but also in education and training for future generations of healthcare professionals in Viet Nam and the ASEAN region, addressing numerous emerging challenges. Ambassador Hideo Suzuki of the Government of Japan then delivered a congratulatory address, followed by Ryosei Mizuguchi, Deputy Director of the Healthcare Industries Division of the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), who delivered opening remarks. Both Japanese representatives expressed unwavering support for continued partnerships and cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan, emphasising the vital importance of exchanging knowledge and experiences to develop and coordinate digital health infrastructure, including utilising big data and AI to tackle current challenges in the healthcare sector. The Medical Excellence in Asia (MExx) project is officially endorsed and supported by the Government of Japan to achieve good health and well-being for people in the ASEAN region through multisectoral collaborations and partnerships in the healthcare sectors of ERIA member states.

The event was attended by Prof. Nguyen Minh Tam, Vice Rector of Hue UMP, and Prof. Nguyen Thanh Thao, Chair of the Department of Radiology at Hue UMP, who both presented their ongoing efforts at the hospital and medical institution to integrate digital tools and IoT into medical training and practices to enhance the quality of healthcare and clinical operations. Distinguished guests and observers included Dr Shohei Sasaki, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Viet Nam, along with several experts and clinicians in leadership positions from Hanoi Medical Hospital, Bach Mai Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Department of Health of Thua Thien Hue Province.

The forum was structured into three sessions, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr Kenji Shibuya, CEO of MEJ, who led a lively and interactive dialogue between the panelists and the audience. The main themes of the presentation sessions ranged from 1) the Development of Medical Information Infrastructure; 2) Improving Safety and Quality of Medical Care through IoT; to 3) Digital Contribution to Outpatient Medical Care and Wellness. For instance, Nguyen Truong Nam, Deputy Director of the National Health Information Center at the Viet Nam Ministry of Health, outlined the government's progress on the National Digital Healthcare Transformation, highlighting current challenges and future opportunities. Dr Takanori Fujita, Specially Appointed Associate Professor at Keio University, presented on the legal and ethical aspects of medical technology using precedential cases in Japan. Prof. Satoru Miyano, Director of the M&D Data Science Center at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, showcased advanced medical technologies, including AI and ICT, in clinical research and medical care. Prof. Le Quang Anh Tuan, Chief of the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Ho Chi Minh City Medical University Hospital, shared his institution's experience implementing electronic health records (EHRs), while Prof. Dao Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of Hanoi Medical University Hospital, discussed the impacts of digital transformation and telehealth practices at the university hospital.

Another unique and pragmatic aspect of this forum was the exhibitions and presentations by ten healthcare tech companies from both Japan and Viet Nam, showcasing innovative and cutting-edge health technologies to enhance all aspects of healthcare services, including patient-centered care, clinical practices, and everyday hospital management and administration.

Closing remarks were delivered by Prof. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy and Koji Hachiyama, ERIA’s Chief Operating Officer. On behalf of ERIA, Hachiyama expressed sincere gratitude to all co-organisers and stakeholders for successfully completing the forum, and to all speakers and panelists for their thought-provoking presentations and engaged discussions. He further emphasised the significant progress made by the MEV-MEJ partnership in addressing various healthcare challenges in Vietnamese society since its establishment in 2022. The MEV-MEJ platform is considered a model cooperation framework that may potentially be adapted to other ASEAN countries. Hachiyama added that one of the primary goals of the MExx Programme at ERIA is to leverage lessons learned in Viet Nam to promote initiatives across the greater ASEAN region, fostering mutual growth and development in the healthcare sectors of partner countries. In conclusion, Hachiyama reiterated ERIA’s firm commitment to the continuous success of the MExx programme, envisioning a world where all people have access to safe, efficient, and quality healthcare services, ultimately improving their quality of life.