Reality and results show that Vietnamese scientists are capable of researching many biological products and equipment for COVID-19 prevention and control based on basic studies on epidemiology and virology, especially SARS-CoV-2. The country has seen initial success in research and produced a COVID-19 vaccine and treatment drug.
Experts in the field of social sciences and humanities also engaged in theoretical and practical research for the impact of the pandemic on socio-economic development as well as proposed recommendations and policies to ease the negative impacts of the epidemic, towards sustainable development.
The reality proven that the mobilisation of social potential, notably from businesses, into the scientific research and technological development, has played a very important role. Public-private cooperation in scientific and technological research can exploit the potential for both these sectors. Thanks to the close coordination between scientific and technological organisations and enterprises, many research missions have been carried out successfully, such as the production of test kits, equipment, vaccines, and treatment drugs for COVID-19. This is an experience that should be promoted in the near future.
However, the process of implementing the scientific tasks is facing a range of problems that need to be resolved, to create a more open corridor for scientists to access easily. In the immediate future, the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies should review, amend, and issue or submit documents to competent authorities, towards facilitating scientists to conduct clinical trials of research results related to the medical field. The reduction of unnecessary administrative procedures in carrying out scientific and technological missions should be also prioritised as the fight against COVID-19 was identified as the fight against the enemy. It is crucial to supplement the budget for science and technology research in the health sector, especially in epidemic prevention and control.
In the near future, the science and technology sector will focus on accelerating the tasks in serving for the “safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of COVID-19 pandemic” as well as continue to develop scientific and technological potentials to meet the requirements for the prevention and control of future pandemics like COVID-19. Accordingly, more attention should be paid to basic research on epidemiology and virology and the implementation of the national key science and technology programme: “Research and production of vaccines for human use by 2030".
The whole country has entered a phase of safe and flexible adaptation along with effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has requested that scientists and medical staff devise solutions to improve the quality of grassroots medical facilities; and develop anti-epidemic scenarios in all situations.
The scientists have expressed their aspiration and asked the Ministry of Health to have specific orders for research units and scientists to soon gain results for disease prevention and treatment, contributing to protecting the people’s health, while avoiding overlapping research and waste of resources.
