Some characteristics of Western medicine in Vietnam during the French colonial period (1884 - 1945)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to highlight the fundamental characteristics of Western medicine in Vietnam during the French colonial period (1884 – 1945). It aims to identify both the positive contributions and limitations to the development of Vietnam's healthcare system. Method: This study conducts a review of historical documents related to healthcare in Vietnam during the colonial period, including research works (books, theses, dissertations), articles, and memoirs. Results and Conclusion: During the colonial period, the French government established a relatively synchronized system of Western medicine, comprising management agencies from central to local levels, hospitals, research institutes, pharmacies, and training units. This system provided the Vietnamese population with a new approach to diagnosis and treatment, helped prevent certain infectious diseases, and laid the groundwork for the integration of traditional Eastern medicine and Western medicine. However, Western medicine in Vietnam during this period also exhibited certain limitations: its primary purpose was to serve colonial exploitation policies, and only a small number of people with social status and economic means had access to it, while the majority of the population, especially those in rural areas and the poor, faced significant barriers to access.