Abbott innovations changing lives, tackling Vietnam’s healthcare challenges

In 2020, Abbott, the inventor of the world's first HIV test, partnered with Vietnam's Ministry of Health to train healthcare professionals and technicians at various laboratories nationwide on viral load DBS testing for HIV positive patients.

Abbott innovations changing lives.

The DBS test involves the analysis of a few blood drops dried on filter paper. The process does not require refrigeration, thus boosting access to HIV patient treatment monitoring, testing and newly expanded HCV testing in remote areas, especially amid Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Training commenced following the Health Ministry's national guidelines issued in 2019 on using DBS tests in monitoring the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. Vietnam, along with the U.K., Germany and Switzerland, boasts the best HIV/AIDS treatment in the world, as per the ministry's November assessment.

While DBS testing has eased access to HIV viral load testing for Vietnamese in remote areas, Abbott’s High-Sensitivity Troponin-I Test, often referred to as the Hs Troponin-I test, is designed to serve a larger community. Troponin, a protein found specifically in heart muscle cells and high level macronutrient, detected via the test, provides better data for determining a person's chance of developing future heart disease.

Besides, Abbott's Hs Troponin-I test offers gender-specific cut-offs, allowing physicians to more accurately diagnose heart attacks in women. A study published in the British Medical Journal found Abbott's test uncovered twice as many heart attacks in women compared to standard troponin tests. It is exceptionally critical in helping doctors provide early diagnosis since one in every three Vietnamese suffers a heart attack each year.

Given its significance and efficiency, Abbott’s Hs Troponin-I test is the very first and only such test to be approved by the Health Ministry to aid cardiac risk stratification.

Abbott’s Hs Troponin-I test.

In order to advance heart and cardiovascular disease treatment, Abbott also brought the minimally invasive mitral valve repair device MitraClip, a transcatheter-based apparatus, to Vietnam to treat common heart valve disorders. Doctors perform MitraClip procedures by guiding a thin tube through a patient’s vein to help the mitral valve close more effectively without open-heart surgery. Thus, the patient can return to normal life faster. Abbott has received the 2020 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Medical Technology for its MitraClip System. The prize recognizes excellence in scientific innovation that improves the state of humankind.

After 25 years' expanding in Vietnam, Abbott has achieved sustained and stable business growth, developed strong local talent, and created significant opportunities. Headquartered in the U.S. city of Chicago, the company has continuously brought to Vietnam breakthrough innovations in nutrition and medicine, apart from its diagnostics and cardiovascular care.

Latest innovation

This month, Abbott officially introduced its newly enhanced Glucerna in Vietnam. The product, available in both powder and liquid, uniquely enhanced with nutrient myo-inositol, is designed specifically to help those with diabetes improve their insulin sensitivity, glucose control, and heart health within four weeks of daily use.

Glucerna joins several premium, innovative nutritional solutions Abbott has brought to Vietnam to support every stage of life ranging from Similac Eye-Q Plus with HMO to PediaSure and Ensure Gold.

While Similac HMO nurtures stronger immunity and brain development among babies, PediaSure boosts growth. Ensure Gold with HMB is a nutrient that helps prevent muscle loss among adults.

Besides, Abbott has also introduced Surbex Natural Lingzhi, available in capsules that boost immunity, enhance liver function, and overall body resistance.

Game-changing diagnostic tools

Nowadays, many hospital laboratories in Vietnam, especially those in public facilities, face various challenges like limited space and high testing demand at peak hours.

Abbott, on the forefront of innovation for decades, has also brought to Vietnam Alinity, a family of systems that reinvents the way diagnostic labs operate by simplifying diagnosis to improve speed, efficiency and accuracy. Alinity, derived from ALignment, INnovation and UnITY, has been made available at 26 hospitals and blood banks including Medic, Cho Ray Hospital, Tu Du Hospital, Hung Vuong Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City Medical University Hospital, Da Nang General Hospital, DIAG, Hanoi Medical University Hospital and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.

Besides, Abbott has introduced Alinity m, its fully integrated and automated molecular diagnostics analyzer that uses innovative technology to deliver greater flexibility and efficiency. The platform is now available at hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, including Military Hospital 108, Medic, Medlatec, Bach Mai Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital."

Marking its 25th year in Vietnam this year, Abbott has demonstrated its long-term commitment to the country. The company and its parent, Abbott Fund, have provided over VND250 billion ($10.5 million) in grants and product donations to help Vietnamese build better lives and stronger communities, including the Red-Cross Partnered program to support healthcare professionals in frontline hospitals.