Many medical centers in Nghe An are facing difficulties in implementing electronic medical records.
Currently, the implementation of electronic medical records at medical centers with inpatient beds in Nghe An is facing considerable difficulties.
Simultaneous deployment
In 2025, under the direction of the Department of HealthNghe AnThe Nghia Dan District Health Center has implemented the development of electronic medical records. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hong, Director of the Nghia Dan District Health Center, stated: "The policy of implementing electronic medical records has received strong support and agreement from all the leadership and staff. At the beginning of 2025, the center issued an implementation plan. By January 18, 2025, the center had collaborated with the software provider to install the relevant software. Currently, 70% of the work has been completed. It is expected that the development of electronic medical records will be finished by the end of April 2025."
In 2025, not only Nghia Dan District Health Center, but all medical examination and treatment units in the province have been, are, and will be promoting the application of information technology and digital transformation, including the development of electronic medical records. Most recently, on the afternoon of April 4, 2025, the professional council for evaluating electronic medical records of the Health sector conducted an assessment of the conditions for implementing electronic medical records at Nam Dan District Health Center.
Dr. Nguyen Canh Thang, Director of the Nam Dan District Health Center, said: The center began implementing electronic medical records in October 2024, and to date has digitized 100% of inpatient medical records; digitally signed records, and used biometric fingerprinting of patients and their family members through an information technology software system. After being evaluated and approved, the Nam Dan District Health Center will officially put electronic medical records into application in May 2025.
Electronic medical records are software systems that allow for the accurate and systematic digitization of all patient medical records, prescriptions, and laboratory test results. This system enables doctors and healthcare professionals to monitor and manage patients' health anytime, anywhere; facilitates direct or remote consultations, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
With electronic medical records, patient registration procedures and all operations can be performed using automated systems, allowing patients to easily look up and track results and update their health status via a mobile app.
The fact that medical examination and treatment facilities inNghe AnThe widespread implementation of electronic medical records stems from the Prime Minister's Directive No. 07/CT-TTg. In this directive, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Health to direct and urge 100% of hospitals nationwide to implement electronic medical records; to establish data linkages between district and provincial hospitals and hospitals under the Ministry of Health; and to utilize the already interconnected data to reduce the number of tests for the public, with completion by September 2025.
It is known that, to date, 12 out of 53 medical examination and treatment units in Nghe An have proactively and successfully implemented electronic medical records. At this time, with directives from the Government, the Ministry of Health, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Nghe An Department of Health, the successful implementation of electronic medical records has become a mandatory requirement, as well as a political commitment of each medical examination and treatment unit...
Difficulties in securing investment resources.
Despite this determination, the reality shows that the implementation of electronic medical records at healthcare facilities operating under Group 3 autonomy is facing many difficulties and obstacles, especially at district health centers with inpatient beds.
Dr. Nguyen Huu Hong, Director of the Nghia Dan District Health Center, said: "The unit's information technology infrastructure has been outdated for a long time; it's both insufficient and inconsistent. To implement electronic medical records, the unit has to purchase a lot of new equipment and software. Although the software company has lent us servers, a data security control system with a firewall, and some other storage devices, we still need to spend an additional 3 billion VND. This is a very large amount of money for a small unit in a mountainous area."
We earnestly hope for more investment support from all levels and sectors. Currently, the development of electronic medical records is funded by the unit's development investment fund, which will impact other activities. Furthermore, we request that the Department of Health promptly issue a directive for all units within the sector to use a common software system (currently, there are two companies providing electronic medical record software in Nghe An) to ensure data consistency and synchronization. The health sector should also coordinate with the Social Insurance agency to completely eliminate paper medical records to avoid waste.
Dr. Nguyen Huu Hong - Director of Nghia Dan District Health Center
Currently, the center is conducting surveys and research to select a company to provide electronic medical record software. Once the survey is complete, we will invest in and implement the system, striving to complete it before August 30, 2025. The biggest challenge at present is the need to purchase servers and the lack of adequate technological infrastructure. Meanwhile, the center faces significant investment difficulties. The estimated total investment cost is up to 1 billion VND. In the absence of investment funds, the center is forced to enter into a contract to rent servers and software from a company, with payments to be made gradually later.
Dr. Dang Tan Minh - Director of Quy Chau District Health Center
The investment required for IT infrastructure to implement electronic medical records is quite substantial, ranging from a minimum of 5-6 billion VND to a maximum of 7-8 billion VND. This amount is beyond the unit's financial capacity. If the unit were to lease the entire software, servers, and equipment from a supplier, it would cost approximately 1 billion VND per year. To implement electronic medical records, we earnestly request support and investment from all levels and sectors. Furthermore, we hope the government will soon provide guidance on IT expenditure items and the cost structure of medical services that include IT components, so that the unit has the necessary funds to support the electronic medical record system.
Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh - Director of Anh Son District Health Center
Despite facing difficulties in investment resources and funding to maintain electronic medical records, healthcare units in Nghe An province remain determined to complete the electronic medical record system according to schedule. Dr. Pham Dinh Luyen, Director of the Quy Hop District Health Center, expressed: "There are many difficulties, but the unit is still determined and striving to complete the assigned tasks. With limited resources, we do less; if we are short of funds, we borrow or hire, and try to gradually find ways to manage."
Regarding the difficulties that public healthcare facilities are facing in implementing electronic medical records, the leaders of the Nghe An Department of Health stated: The Department of Health is requesting that units clearly state the difficulties and obstacles encountered and submit a budget estimate for the implementation of electronic medical records for compilation. Based on that, the Department of Health will officially request the Provincial People's Committee to consider and allocate funds for the construction of information technology infrastructure for electronic medical records...
Currently, the Ministry of Health is tasking the Planning Department with developing a new pricing structure for medical examination and treatment services, which will include information technology as a constituent element.
