HCM City calls for Cuban investment in health care
Ho Chi Minh City calls on Cuban businesses to invest in Vietnam's southern metropolis, particularly in the areas of Cuba’s strengths like health care, and biological product and specific remedy manufacturing, a municipal official said on June 30.
Vietnamese and Cuban officials in a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City calls on Cuban businesses to invest in Vietnam's southern metropolis, particularly in the areas of Cuba’s strengths like healthcare, and biological product and specific remedy manufacturing, a municipal official saidon June 30.
At a reception forvisiting Secretary General of the Central Union of Cuban Workers (CTC) UlisesGuilarte de Nacimiento, who is also Vice President of the World Federation ofTrade Unions, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Phan Van Maiaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people in general and HCM City residents in particular are thankful for Cuba’s support.
HCM City sharesdifficulties faced by Cuban people, and stands ready to accompany the country insocio-economic development as well as in promoting the comprehensive, substantiverelationship between the two countries, he said.
Mai noted that HCMCity will encourage local enterprises to invest in Cuba, and send business delegationsto help the Caribbean nation in high-tech agriculture, contributing to ensuringnational food security.
For his part, Ulises Guilarte De Nacimiento said the regular delegationexchanges demonstrate the special friendship between the two countries, addingCuba wishes to learn from Vietnam’s experience in socio-economic development,especially in its development and reform policies.
Speaking highly of the host’s proposals, he pledged thatCuban leaders and people will always stay united with and accompany Vietnam innational defence and development./.
Former Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesmán Turró González has affirmed that Vietnam has become a model for developing countries, especially for those on the transition period to socialism.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
Vietnamese and Cuban officials in a group photo. (Photo: VNA) 
