Southern Vietnam Enhances Healthcare Access with Free Consultations and Screenings

Thanh Vu Medic Bac Lieu General Hospital in Bac Lieu city, Ca Mau province, southern Vietnam, is actively implementing free health consultation and screening programs aimed at improving the health of local residents. The hospital, in collaboration with the Bac Lieu City Party Committee and People's Committee, is organizing health education programs for the community. Notably, consultations focused on cardiovascular diseases and strokes, which have seen a trend of younger patients in recent years, were held at the Bac Lieu City Health Center. This initiative is part of a series of community health consultation activities scheduled to continue until the end of December 2026. According to Dr. Pham Thanh Vu, Chairman of the Board of Directors, these programs are held monthly, focusing on common and increasing diseases in the community such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, cancer, urological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and rehabilitation. Through direct sharing of knowledge by specialist doctors, the aim is to provide accurate, scientific health information, thereby reducing the burden of disease, limiting complications, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Mr. Phan Hai Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Bac Lieu City People's Committee, emphasized the importance of health and highlighted the growing significance of raising community health awareness and proactive disease prevention, particularly in the face of increasing non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular conditions and myocardial infarction, which are no longer exclusive to older age groups. Furthermore, in July 2026, a program titled "Community Health Education Consultation 2026" was organized with the theme "Stroke: Early Recognition, Proper Management, and Avoiding Mistakes That Worsen the Condition." Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of the hospital, explained that modern lifestyles and the rise of underlying health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking contribute to the trend of younger stroke patients. She stressed that timely recognition and correct initial management are crucial for significantly reducing mortality and sequelae. Notably, Thanh Vu Medic Bac Lieu General Hospital was awarded the Gold Award by the World Stroke Organization (WSO) and the European Stroke Organization (ESO), a prestigious recognition of the quality of its stroke emergency care and treatment. To enhance the hospital's capacity for specialized medical care and improve access for residents in the Mekong Delta region, the hospital has implemented an AI-powered 512-slice CT scanner system. It has also invested over 46 billion VND (approximately $1.8 million USD) in a 3.0 Tesla MRI system with AI technology (Philips Ingenia Elition) to enable rapid and accurate diagnosis of complex conditions affecting the nervous system, blood vessels, and cancers, including strokes. Additionally, the hospital has obtained ISO 15189:2022 certification, an international standard for the quality of medical laboratories in biochemistry and hematology. The introduction of these advanced medical technologies and continuous professional development for staff are significant steps in creating an environment where residents of Ca Mau province and surrounding areas can access modern medical techniques locally, meeting the growing health needs of the region.