The Japanese government is planning to set up a taskforce to promote the export of medical technologies and services to five Mekong basin countries including Vietnam. The plan is part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic growth strategy, under which Japan will expand its medical service export and set up 10 medical institutions in emerging nations by 2020. The taskforce involving both public and private sectors will work on accelerating the export of advanced Japanese medical facilities and insurance system to the five nations of Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. The entity will consist of officials from Japanese foreign and economy, trade and industry ministries, as well as hospital managers and representatives from insurance companies and medical equipment firms. As planned, Japan will sign a memorandum of understanding on enhancing cooperation in the health sector with the five Mekong countries when it hosts a summit with the ASEAN in Tokyo in mid-Dec on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. During his visit to Phnom Penh earlier this month, Mr. Abe said the Japanese government will also mull over boosting healthcare cooperation with Thailand and Vietnam in the future. As one of the biggest donors for Vietnam’s medical projects, Japan has already funded more than $111 million for upgrading Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital, HCM City-based Cho Ray Hospital and the Hue Central Hospital. (vietnamplus.vn Nov 25)
