Opening the meeting, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Xuyen stressed the importance and development of endolaparoscopic surgery in the medical sector since the technology was first applied in the 1980s, and the achievements made by Vietnamese surgeons and scientists.

The meeting offers an opportunity for Vietnamese specialists to meet with colleagues from regional countries and across the world, helping the Vietnamese medical sector integrate internationally, the deputy minister said.

Participants will hear almost 500 reports on advanced endolaparoscopy, presenting the latest and most important achievements at global and regional healthcare centres. Vietnamese specialists also presented new achievements in endolaparoscopy in the country.

In addition, they will participate in an interactive television programme on endolaparoscopic surgery from the Vietnam-Germany Hospital and the Central Paediatrics Hospital, and attended the inauguration ceremony of the Exhibition Centre for Medical Instruments and Pharmaceuticals.

Later the same day, delegates were received by President Nguyen Minh Triet, who affirmed the Party and State's interest in the medical sector and its commitment to ongoing investment in the sector.

Although being poor and devastated by wars, Vietnam has almost completed the UN Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule, with outstanding achievements in healthcare and poverty reduction, he said.

President Triet welcomed international delegates to ELSA 2010, saying they brought to Vietnamese people friendly sentiments from international friends and shared experiences on the world's most advanced medicine with Vietnamese colleagues.

He expressed his hope that other countries would help train Vietnamese doctors, recommend well-known professors and scientists to work and lecture in Vietnam, and invest in the country’s healthcare.

International delegates spoke highly of recent developments in Vietnam's medical sector, including endolaparoscopic surgery and Vietnamese doctors' skills, which has helped reduce the number of local people seeking treatment abroad.

VNS