Scientific Conference – Conference on Advances in Laboratory Medicine 2026
On June 19, 2026, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC) held the Scientific Conference "Approaching New Laboratory Testing Techniques in Diagnosis and Treatment – CALM 2026" at the New World Saigon Hotel, attracting 790 delegates, including experts, physicians, laboratory technicians, and healthcare professionals from both Vietnam and abroad. The conference served as an academic forum to update participants on new advances in laboratory testing, helping to narrow the gap between scientific achievement and clinical practice, and working toward improving the quality of diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Delivering the opening remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Le Minh Khoi, MD, PhD – Head of the Science and Training Department, UMC, said that over the years, CALM has steadily established its influence within the professional community, expanding not only across the southern region but nationwide. The core value of the conference lies not only in updating knowledge on new laboratory techniques, but also in its ability to closely connect laboratory testing with clinical practice, thereby helping physicians make more accurate diagnostic and treatment decisions. The Hospital also hopes to continue building CALM into a distinctive academic landmark event, further affirming the role of University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City in training, research, and professional development.
Sharing at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Bang Suong, MD, PhD – Head of the Laboratory Department, UMC, noted that the pace of innovation in laboratory testing today is extremely rapid, ranging from molecular biology and cardiovascular and hematological biomarkers to artificial intelligence in quality management. The challenge now lies not in whether new techniques exist, but in how to access, implement, and effectively apply these techniques under the practical conditions of healthcare facilities.
This year's conference featured nearly 20 in-depth presentations on topics with high practical value for clinical practice. Highlighted content included updates on the role of Lipoprotein(a) in cardiovascular risk stratification, assessment of iron status in heart failure patients, the application of real-time PCR in the rapid diagnosis of MRSA, as well as solutions for infection control and limiting antibiotic resistance through early diagnosis.
In addition to specialized techniques, many topics on laboratory quality management and digital transformation also drew significant interest from delegates, such as point-of-care testing (POCT) management, autoverification of test results, control of interfering factors in laboratory testing, and the application of artificial intelligence and large language models in biochemistry quality management. These topics reflect the modern trends of the laboratory testing field, where accuracy, standardization, and data interoperability are increasingly becoming core factors.
Through CALM 2026, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City continues to affirm its role as a university hospital, where medical examination and treatment always go hand in hand with training and scientific research. The conference not only delivered academic value but also helped narrow the gap between scientific progress and clinical practice, working toward the ultimate goal of improving treatment quality and bringing practical benefits to patients.
