PGS Dr. Dao Xuan Co has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Health following a decision by the Prime Minister of Vietnam

The Government of Vietnam has officially announced the appointment of Associate Professor Dr. Dao Xuan Co, the Director of Bach Mai Hospital, to the position of Deputy Minister of Health. This high-level administrative change, formalized under Decision No. 2079/QD-TTg signed on October 30, 2026, marks a significant shift in the leadership structure of the national healthcare sector. The decision, effective immediately upon signing, places one of the country’s most prominent medical administrators and intensive care specialists at the heart of national health policy development.

A Career Defined by Intensive Care and Institutional Leadership

Born in 1973, Dr. Dao Xuan Co represents a generation of medical professionals who have balanced rigorous clinical practice with institutional management. A 1996 graduate of the Hanoi Medical University, Dr. Co has dedicated over three decades to the advancement of internal medicine and critical care in Vietnam. His academic standing was solidified in 2018 when he was conferred the title of Associate Professor, reflecting his extensive contributions to medical education and clinical research.

Dr. Co’s journey within the healthcare system is characterized by long-term service in frontline clinical settings. From December 1996 to November 2005, he served as an intensive care physician at the Hai Duong Provincial General Hospital. This period served as his foundational training, where he navigated the challenges of resource-constrained environments to provide life-saving care. In 2005, he transitioned to academic and tertiary clinical settings, where he began his long tenure at Bach Mai Hospital—the largest and most specialized public hospital in northern Vietnam.

Chronology of Professional Milestones

The career trajectory of Dr. Dao Xuan Co reflects a steady progression from specialized practitioner to national healthcare administrator:

• 1996–2005: Intensive care physician at Hai Duong Provincial General Hospital.
• 2005–2014: Clinical specialist and lecturer in intensive care medicine, transitioning into a leadership role within the national tertiary referral network.
• 2014–2018: Served as Deputy Head and subsequently Head of the Intensive Care Department at Bach Mai Hospital.
• August 2020: Appointed Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital during a critical period of the hospital’s structural reform.
• March 2022: Promoted to Director of Bach Mai Hospital and Rector of the Bach Mai Medical College.
• October 2026: Appointed Deputy Minister of Health.

Clinical Innovation and Academic Contributions

Dr. Co is widely recognized for his pioneering role in advancing intensive care techniques in Vietnam. His work in the Intensive Care Department at Bach Mai Hospital was instrumental in introducing advanced life-support systems that have since become standard in the country’s major medical centers.

Notably, he was a key figure in the implementation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), plasma exchange, and hemofiltration to treat patients with severe, systemic pathologies. Perhaps his most significant clinical contribution has been the refinement and widespread application of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). By championing the use of ECMO, Dr. Co helped position Bach Mai Hospital as the national leader in managing critically ill patients, a capability that proved vital during various public health crises.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Co has been a prolific author and researcher. In 2024, his contributions to medical literature were recognized when he received the A-level National Book Award for his work as the chief editor of the "Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment of Internal Medicine." This text has become a staple for students and practitioners across the country. Additionally, he has authored over 35 articles in international medical journals, reflecting his commitment to bridging Vietnamese clinical expertise with global medical standards.

Implications for the Ministry of Health

The appointment of a seasoned hospital director to the Ministry of Health is widely seen as a strategic move to address the ongoing challenges within the public healthcare sector. As the former head of Bach Mai Hospital, Dr. Co oversaw significant reforms in hospital management, digital transformation, and the procurement of modern medical equipment.

During his tenure as Director of Bach Mai, he led efforts to enhance the quality of medical services, which had previously faced scrutiny regarding financial autonomy and administrative efficiency. His ability to navigate the complexities of hospital logistics, human resource training, and patient care standards will likely be leveraged at the ministerial level to harmonize health policies across the provinces.

Industry observers suggest that Dr. Co’s expertise in intensive care—a field that requires high-pressure decision-making and rapid response—is well-suited to the current administrative needs of the Ministry. His background in both clinical education and hospital administration positions him to address systemic issues such as the shortage of high-quality medical supplies, the retention of skilled staff, and the digital modernization of the national health insurance framework.

Addressing Structural Challenges

The healthcare sector in Vietnam is currently navigating a period of significant transition. Legislative updates, such as the proposed increase in health insurance coverage to 85% by 2027, require strong leadership capable of translating policy into effective service delivery. Dr. Co’s experience in managing a large-scale institution like Bach Mai—which serves thousands of patients daily and acts as a national referral center—provides him with the practical perspective needed to oversee the implementation of such large-scale national initiatives.

Furthermore, his history of collaborating with international medical bodies during scientific conferences and research projects positions him to strengthen global health partnerships. As the Ministry of Health looks to modernize its technology and improve the standard of care for the aging population, Dr. Co’s emphasis on evidence-based practice and technological integration will likely become a cornerstone of his new mandate.

The Path Forward

The transition of Dr. Dao Xuan Co from the bedside and the director’s office to the Ministry of Health is expected to bring a more practical, "ground-up" approach to policy formulation. By appointing a professional who has spent nearly three decades in the trenches of the medical system, the government signals a commitment to addressing the practical difficulties faced by public hospitals.

As he assumes his duties as Deputy Minister, the focus will likely remain on three core areas: the modernization of public hospital infrastructure, the elevation of training standards for the next generation of medical professionals, and the continued refinement of specialized medical protocols to meet international standards. His past success in navigating the complexities of one of the country’s most challenging administrative environments—Bach Mai Hospital—suggests that he is well-equipped for the systemic challenges inherent in his new national role.

With his background as an educator, researcher, and clinical innovator, Dr. Co enters this position with the trust of both the medical community and the government, setting a high expectation for the continued improvement of the national healthcare system in the years to follow. The appointment is not merely a personnel change but a strategic alignment of administrative power with clinical excellence, reflecting the evolving priorities of Vietnam’s healthcare landscape.