According to Vietnam News Agency (VNA), a TV BRICS partner, Vietnam is actively integrating artificial intelligence (AI), digital solutions and advanced medical technologies into its healthcare system to achieve the government’s goal of improving healthcare services. Key areas of focus include the application of artificial intelligence in surgery and diagnostics, digital transformation, and the development of smart healthcare.
To address the application of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, Vietnam regularly organises specialised academic conferences. Recently, the 2026 National Congress on Surgery and Endoscopy was held in Hue City, attracting over 700 domestic and international experts. During the conference, more than 260 papers were presented, covering areas such as robotic surgery, AI-assisted clinical decision-making, 3D modelling for surgical planning, and the analysis of medical literature.
In addition to artificial intelligence, other advanced medical technologies are also being actively promoted, particularly in the field of gastroenterology. These include narrow-band imaging endoscopy (NBI) and interventional endoscopy techniques for the early detection of gastrointestinal lesions.
In this field, the practical application of advanced technologies has already begun to yield results, and medical infrastructure across the provinces is being modernised. Several provincial hospitals have received direct technology transfers and advanced equipment.
Provincial health departments are committed to establishing a modern, smart healthcare system by expanding the scope of specialist medical services and improving healthcare provision at their administrative level. To this end, local governments are developing partnerships with leading domestic medical and educational institutions.
Healthcare policy is also committed to expanding the coverage of healthcare services, particularly in remote areas and amongst vulnerable groups. For instance, a large-scale programme of free comprehensive health check-ups is currently being rolled out nationwide. Both general and specialist hospitals are participating in this initiative, and home-visit check-up services are being provided for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Electronic health records have emerged as a key innovation. Residents’ health data is entered into the system, enabling local healthcare facilities to monitor the condition of patients with chronic illnesses and refer them to hospitals when specialist treatment is required.
The BRICS nations are prioritising the research and development of cutting-edge medical technologies as a core focus of their scientific and technological advancement. The current emphasis lies on promoting the translation of innovation into practice – that is, bringing cutting-edge solutions from the laboratory into clinical practice – thereby making high-tech medical services accessible to a wider population.
According to CGTN, a partner of TV BRICS, Shanghai recently successfully performed the world’s first commercial brain-computer interface (BCI) surgery to restore hand motor function. A patient who had suffered a spinal cord injury and lost hand-grasping function fully regained their grasping ability after the operation. The technology identifies motor intentions by reading and decoding epidural electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, thereby assisting the patient in performing physical movements.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has announced a grant to develop the country’s messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology platform. According to the Ministry of Health’s official website, this initiative aims to establish a universal technological foundation to enable a rapid response to public health emergencies and to develop innovative drugs for a range of diseases, including leishmaniasis, tuberculosis and cancer.
Other countries around the world are also actively advancing the development of biotechnology. For instance, Argentina has made significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is one of the most common tropical diseases transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes.BRICS Lat, a partner of TV BRICS, reports that Argentine researchers have successfully developed a new two-step molecular diagnostic strategy based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method not only detects the presence of parasite DNA but also accurately identifies the specific species of Leishmania protozoa. This breakthrough is of critical clinical significance, as different species of the parasite cause different forms of the disease, each requiring entirely different treatment regimens. The ultimate aim of the project is to integrate this high-precision diagnostic algorithm into the national healthcare system, thereby optimising patient treatment pathways and strengthening epidemiological control.