Despite persistent challenges related to infrastructure, resources, and financial mechanisms, departments, sectors, and local authorities across Điện Biên province are implementing a wide range of measures to expand the application of science and technology, gradually improving public services for both citizens and businesses while advancing comprehensive digital transformation.

To build a unified healthcare database and gradually achieve the health sector’s digital transformation goals, healthcare staff at Keo Lôm Health Station (under Na Son commune Health Station) have been working closely with local schools to assist teachers in entering and integrating students’ electronic health records. Personal information, medical histories, and healthcare records are carefully reviewed and updated to ensure complete and accurate data for effective digital health management.

After directly assisting schools with data entry, Nguyễn Thị Thắm, a staff member at Na Son commune Health Station, said the process has presented numerous challenges. “The software systems are not always fully synchronized, and unstable internet connectivity often slows data transmission and synchronization. In addition, reviewing and supplementing information for every student is time-consuming and requires close coordination between healthcare workers and schools to ensure that all records are accurate before being integrated into the system.”

The rollout of electronic health records is gradually transforming healthcare delivery, modernizing medical services, and supporting the digital transformation of the health sector. To date, Điện Biên province has collected information for 374,826 out of 667,417 residents to establish electronic health records, covering 56.16% of the population. More than 30,000 records have already been fully updated in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations.

The health sector has also created 447,127 electronic health books integrated into the VNeID application and completed the implementation of electronic medical records at all inpatient healthcare facilities across the province.

Despite these encouraging results, implementation continues to face significant obstacles, particularly in remote and mountainous areas.

According to Phạm Văn Mẫn, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Health, many residents still prefer using traditional paper health insurance cards instead of chip-based citizen identification cards or the VNeID application. In addition, many people do not own smartphones or use bank accounts, making cashless payment for medical services difficult.

Meanwhile, data-sharing systems among different software platforms remain insufficiently integrated, and efforts to standardize and clean digital data are still underway, affecting the overall pace of the sector’s digital transformation.

The broader application of science and technology across the province also faces considerable challenges related to digital infrastructure, data systems, and human resources. Telecommunications infrastructure remains underdeveloped in some remote, mountainous, and border areas, while internet connectivity is often unstable.

The province’s shared database system is still undergoing data standardization and cleansing, and information sharing among government agencies remains fragmented. At the grassroots level, there is a shortage of personnel specializing in digital transformation, while technology adoption by businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities has been relatively slow.

The disbursement of funding for several science, technology, and digital transformation projects during the first six months of the year has also fallen behind schedule.

The delays are largely attributable to financial regulations, investment procedures, and the ongoing process of finalizing new policy frameworks. For projects financed through public investment, many have already completed portions of the work but cannot yet receive funding because land-use revenues have not been transferred to the provincial budget as planned.

Meanwhile, recurrent expenditures have primarily been used for project planning, document preparation, contractor selection, and investment preparation, leaving few completed activities eligible for payment.

Despite these challenges, Điện Biên’s disbursement performance in the field of science and technology remains among the stronger performers nationwide.

According to the provincial Department of Science and Technology, the greatest challenge lies in outdated financial regulations governing science and technology projects, which have not kept pace with practical needs. Nevertheless, during the first half of 2026, Điện Biên remained among the country’s better-performing localities in this area.

The central government is gradually revising relevant policies to create a more flexible regulatory environment. Combined with the proactive efforts of provincial departments, sectors, and local authorities, these reforms are expected to accelerate project disbursement, providing fresh momentum for science, technology, and digital transformation across the province.

With strong commitment from government agencies at all levels and the active participation of citizens and businesses, many of the obstacles hindering science, technology, and digital transformation are gradually being addressed. As funding is disbursed on schedule, projects are implemented more effectively, and digital databases become increasingly complete, science and technology will play an even greater role in driving socio-economic development and supporting Điện Biên’s goal of achieving rapid and sustainable growth in the digital era.