With the aim of discussing the orientation for innovation in the training and utilization of human resources in Preventive Medicine (PM) and Public Health (PH) to propose policies and solutions for enhancing the innovation of PH and PM human resource training in Vietnam, the online thematic conference “Orientation for Innovation in Training of Preventive Medicine and Public Health in Vietnam” was officially held this morning, June 25, 2021, at Hanoi University of Public Health (HUPH).
Participating and chairing the conference at the HUPH bridgehead were Dr. Phạm Văn Tác - Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council and Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training under the Ministry of Health, alongside Prof. PhD. Hoàng Văn Minh – Rector of HUPH.
Dr. Phạm Văn Tác and Prof. PhD. Hoàng Văn Minh chairing the Conference
The conference was honored to welcome Prof. PhD. Lê Quang Cường - Standing Vice Chairman of the National Medical Council and Former Deputy Minister of Health; Prof. PhD. Bui Thi Thu Ha - Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the University Council of HUPH; Assoc. Prof. PhD. Trần Đắc Phu - Senior Advisor to the Vietnam Public Health Emergency Operations Center and Former Director of the General Department of Preventive Medicine; Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Công Khẩn - Former Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training; along with over 300 delegates at 250 ZOOM connection points nationwide, representing departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Health, universities, hospitals, research institutes, Departments of Health, Provincial/Municipal CDCs, as well as domestic and international experts in PM and PH.
Representing the group of public health training institutions, Dr. Lê Thị Vui and M.Sc. Trương Quang Tiến (HUPH) presented papers on “Proposals for Innovation in Training and Utilization of Public Health Human Resources in Vietnam” and “Basic Public Health Service Package at Commune/Ward/Town Health Stations: Competency Readiness of Bachelors of Public Health and Orientation for Innovation in Bachelor of Public Health Training”. Representing the group of preventive medicine training institutions, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Kim Bảo Giang (Hanoi Medical University) presented a report on “Proposals for Innovation in Training and Utilization of Doctors of Preventive Medicine in Vietnam”.
Assoc. Prof. PhD. Kim Bảo Giang - Deputy Director of SPMPH, Hanoi Medical University
Representing the World Health Organization, Dr. Richard JAMES delivered a sharing session on “An International Perspective on Public Health Training and Career Pathways”, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and changing demands for health services. The expert also highlighted the 9 essential functions of public health, career positions for Bachelors of Public Health, and public health training experiences in countries such as the UK, France, Germany, the USA, and Singapore, with a particular focus on the UK model. Concluding the presentation, the expert proposed several key considerations for training public health human resources.
The conference also received valuable online exchanges and sharing from leading experts in PM and PH, including Prof. PhD. Lê Quang Cường, Prof. PhD. Bùi Thị Thu Hà, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Trần Đắc Phu, Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Công Khẩn, and Assoc. Prof. PhD. Đỗ Văn Dũng, regarding orientations for innovating the training and utilization of PM and PH human resources in Vietnam in the coming period.
Experts interacting online via Zoom
Concluding the conference, Dr. Phạm Văn Tác affirmed that PM and PH human resources are essential—and even more critical in the context of pandemics. Therefore, lead training institutions for PM and PH must clearly define training needs, finalize curricula aligned with national competency standards, establish program learning outcomes focusing on increasing practical training duration, and enhance training organization to ensure higher quality. Furthermore, competent authorities should soon promulgate remuneration policies for PH and PM personnel and strengthen communication on public health and preventive medicine across society.
The conference was successfully organized, receiving numerous valuable contributions from experts and scientists. These serve as an important scientific basis for formulating policies and solutions to strengthen the innovation of PH and PM human resource training, ensuring both the quantity and quality of PH and PM workforce to effectively meet the needs of public health care, protection, and enhancement in the 2021-2030 period with a vision toward 2045.
