FPT teams up with TR Korea to drive AI applications in smart healthcare for chronic disease management

FPT Corporation and TR (Korea) have signed a MoU to kick off a partnership to push forward the use of advanced technologies, especially AI, in innovative healthcare solutions to manage chronic diseases in Vietnam.

FPT Corporation and TR (Korea) have signed a MOU to promote AI in smart healthcare for chronic disease management

FPT Corporation and TR (Korea) have officially joined forces to research, develop, and integrate Spirokit, TR’s AI-powered smart lung function measuring device, into FPT’s personal chronic disease management system.

This partnership lays the groundwork for rolling out a cutting-edge healthcare model for managing chronic diseases, helping patients stay on top of their health from home. At the same time, doctors can tap into real-time data remotely to come up with more effective treatment plans.

According to recent figures, about 21% of Vietnam's population is struggling with chronic non-communicable diseases, with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) topping the list. Notably, air quality in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has hit alarming levels, causing a spike in respiratory illnesses. Vietnam now reports a COPD rate of 10.3%, the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. Most patients still rely on in-person check-ups or self-manage their conditions, which brings many inconveniences and greatly strains the healthcare system. The push to bring digital health technology into chronic disease management is more urgent than ever as the system grapples with rising demands and limited resources.

With over 36 years of working hand in hand with the government, businesses, and organizations across sectors, FPT has rolled out digital solutions for many industries, including healthcare. In tackling the challenge of chronic disease management, FPT experts are building a dedicated software system that empowers patients to monitor and manage their health proactively from home, connecting smart medical devices to mobile apps. At the same time, data will be synced in real-time with healthcare providers to keep medical teams in the loop, enabling doctors to propose personalized care plans and step in quickly when urgent situations arise.

TR, a Korean digital healthcare firm, specializes in developing and manufacturing AI-based medical devices. TR has been tapped by the Korean government for several high-profile projects under the Ministry of SMEs & Startups, the Ministry of Science & ICT, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spirokit is one of TR's flagship products. It results from years of research aimed at spotting respiratory diseases like COPD early and accurately. It features a compact design and automatically hooks up with digital health platforms, making it easy for patients to stay on top of their health without leaving home.

The collaboration between FPT and TR marks a crucial step toward offering a comprehensive solution, combining medical devices tailored to patients’ needs with FPT’s Chronic Disease Management System to maximize its effectiveness. Together, they aim to create a fully integrated platform that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers.

Mr. Choi Kyusik, TR (Korea), shared his expectations for the collaboration with FPT.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Choi Kyusik, Global Director of TR Corporation (Korea), stressed: "Vietnam is one of TR's top-priority markets, where we aim to bring cutting-edge healthcare solutions to lift the quality of medical services. Spirokit not only sharpens the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases but also streamlines the entire treatment process through advanced technology. By joining hands with FPT, we hope to make Spirokit more accessible in Vietnam and set the stage for rolling out more innovative healthcare solutions down the road."

Mr. Pham Thanh Tung, FPT, emphasized FPT's goal of enhancing the diagnosis, management, and treatment of chronic diseases with AI

"Given the current state of chronic disease management, FPT is constantly working on new solutions to support remote health monitoring, enabling patients to take control of their conditions and easing the burden on healthcare staff. With AI playing an increasingly pivotal role in healthcare worldwide, countries like Korea are already harnessing AI in major hospitals to streamline diagnosis and treatment. In Korea, AI has been widely rolled out in various hospitals, helping to streamline the medical examination and treatment process and ease the burden on medical staff. In Vietnam, digital transformation in healthcare is picking up pace, with hospitals ramping up investments in AI to improve service quality. We believe that partnering with TR will open up new opportunities to step up the diagnosis, management, and treatment of chronic diseases using AI, helping push Vietnam's healthcare system closer to global digital transformation trends and making public healthcare more effective," said Mr. Pham Thanh Tung, Deputy CEO and Director of FPT IS Healthcare, FPT Corporation.

FPT also plans to team up with TR to run clinical research in selected hospitals. At the same time, FPT will work alongside TR to bring AI into the production and distribution of medical devices in Vietnam.

On TR's side, the company has committed to tailoring products to fit the specific needs of the Vietnamese market and continuously stepping up R&D to upgrade its technology. TR will also share research data and clinical validation reports when needed, and assist FPT in training technical staff, building data management capabilities, and integrating AI into digital healthcare solutions.