Vietnam plans healthcare system overhaul

Vietnam has outlined a plan to modernize its healthcare system by upgrading clinical laboratories that influence most medical decisions.

Diagnostics drive most medical choices

Laboratory results shape about 60% of medical decisions but receive only 2% to 3% of healthcare spending. In Vietnam, outdated practices and inconsistent quality standards have left labs behind regional benchmarks. A 2020 government vision aimed to improve infrastructure, though progress has been uneven outside major cities.

Roche Diagnostics partnered with leading industry associations and government-linked bodies to launch an educational Lean Six Sigma program addressing these gaps. The effort focuses on reducing waste, improving processes, and standardizing testing to help Vietnamese labs match Asia-Pacific standards.

A train-the-trainer approach to lab quality

The program consists of two tracks. The first teaches senior lab staff to apply Lean principles through a train-the-trainer workshop. So far, 31 trainers from 13 institutions have completed the course and gained skills to lead independent sessions. The second track provides broader education for lab managers and junior staff, using practical cases to identify workflow inefficiencies.

Infrastructure disparities remain a hurdle. While Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have advanced facilities, smaller towns often lack similar resources. The program’s success depends on scaling lessons beyond initial participants.

Diagnostics’ expanding influence in healthcare

The Asia-Pacific in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market is projected to grow at 6.3% annually. Roche views this as an opportunity to promote value-based care, where diagnostics help improve outcomes rather than just add costs. The company’s NAVIFY Tumor Board uses data to guide cancer treatment decisions.

Roche currently focuses on Vietnam, but the program’s structure could serve as a blueprint for other markets. The company has indicated interest in expanding consulting services to help labs integrate new technologies and consolidate clinical disciplines. This aligns with an industry trend where lab chains are merging to bring higher standards and modern equipment to more facilities.

Jozica Habijanic, formerly Roche Diagnostics’ Head of Strategic Development for Asia-Pacific, highlighted diagnostics’ role in a recent interview. Delayed diagnosis increases costs and worsens outcomes, yet the field remains undervalued. Shifting from volume-based to value-based care requires strong labs.

The program’s long-term impact hinges on whether Vietnam’s government continues prioritizing lab modernization. If it does, the country could close the gap with neighbors like Thailand and Malaysia, where lab quality is more consistent. Early results are encouraging. Trainers are applying Lean principles in their labs, and participants report better workflows and fewer errors. The real test will come when the program moves beyond workshops into daily operations.

Smaller towns still face challenges.