HCM City (VNA) –ꦐA HCM City-US Healthcare Dialogue titled “Realising Vision for HCM City as aRegional Healthcare Hub” was held in the southern city on October 1.

The event offered a chancefor leaders of the health sector of Vietnam and HCM City and businesses of bothcountries to discuss solutions to boost healthcare cooperation between HCM Cityand the US in order to meet demand of people in Vietnam and ASEAN. In his opening speech,Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong recalledimportant milestones in Vietnam-US relations. He attributed the development ofthe bilateral ties to tenacious and ceaseless efforts by leaders and people ofthe two nations across all fields, in which healthcare cooperation has played asignificant part. Vietnam and the US markedthe first healthcare cooperation activity with a programme designed to aidpeople with disabilities launched 30 years ago to overcome war consequences, henoted. At present, the bilateralmedical collaboration has expanded to other spheres, including HIV/AIDS,tuberculosis and seasonal influenza prevention and control, healthcare for militarypersonnel, response to African swine flu outbreaks, and most recently inbattling the COVID-19 pandemic. HCM City aims to set up ahigh-tech healthcare centre in the coming time in tandem with medical tourismdevelopment to attract more tourists to the city, he said. It will also strive to turntraditional medicine into a highlight of the city’s medical tourism and thepharmaceutical industry into a spearhead economic sector, as well as ensuresufficient supply of medicine and vaccines, Phong added. Joining the virtualdialogue, US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink spoke highly of Vietnam’sefforts in promoting healthcare development in recent years and curbing thespread of COVID-19. He affirmed that the fightagainst the ravaging pandemic is an outstanding milestone, marking jointefforts in mutual support and learning each other between the US and Vietnamduring the past 25 years. US businesses and theAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AMCHAM Vietnam) have paid heed to supportingVietnam in the field of healthcare, the diplomat said. At the dialogue, UScompanies voiced their hope to continue joining hands with medical schools andfacilities in the city. The event also witnessedthe launch of the AmCham Vietnam’s 2020 Healthcare White Book, highlightinginnovative products and services US healthcare companies offer in Vietnam,policy recommendations to promote the health and wellness of Vietnam’spopulation and support the growing strength of Vietnam’s healthcare industry./.