AstraZeneca a trusted partner in health evolution

With Vietnam at a pivotal moment in its healthcare evolution, diversifying healthcare financing is essential to meeting future needs. Atul Tandon, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, spoke with VIR’s Bich Thuy about AstraZeneca's investment and partnership strategy to support the country’s efforts.

- Bich Thuy

Why are technology transfer, digital transformation, early cancer detection, and healthcare financing emerging as priority areas for collaboration?

These priorities reflect where Vietnam itself is heading. The country is building a healthcare system powered by science, technology, and innovation, prioritising prevention over treatment and strengthens domestic capability rather than relying on imports.

That is exactly the direction we have been investing in, and it gives us confidence that our long-term commitment here is well-placed.

Over the years, we have partnered to deliver more than 1.2 million AI-assisted screenings across the country, showing that population-scale prevention is both feasible and effective.

However, its true value depends on what follows. Patients identified at risk must be connected to timely confirmatory diagnosis and treatment aligned with clinical guidelines. Our focus therefore is not only on detecting disease early, but on strengthening coordinated, guideline-directed care so patients receive the right treat-ment at the right time, regardless of where they enter the system.

Digital transformation is what connects these efforts. AI, electronic medical records, and standardised clinical pathways allow a large and diverse health system to function as one by improving decision-making, reducing variation, and enabling continuity of care from primary facilities to tertiary hospitals.