Chief engineer Nguyen Tuan Quang said the network would be the first online tool to help doctors digitize their statistics, manage patients’ medical records, write out online prescriptions and exchange information with colleagues.

Online prescriptions would help prevent errors such as incorrect drug names and problems due to doctors’ bad handwriting, said Quang.

Doctor Nguyen Thanh Binh said patients in rural areas would receive consultancy services even when they are far away from doctors or clinics.

Binh said this was the first time in Vietnam that patients could make appointments with doctors and register for testing services via the internet.

“With this network, patients can save time from queuing in hospitals and learn the prices of drugs,” said Nguyen Xuan Lan, a patient at the Viet Duc hospital.

Hospitals can use this network to reduce administrative procedures and create an online connection with other hospitals nationwide.

So far, more than 3,000 doctors have signed up to become members of the network.

However, Quang said the network would be efficient if all doctors and hospitals agree to share information.

(Source:Vietnews)