AstraZeneca, VYPA sign MOU to enhance healthcare in Vietnam

The two sides’ five-year strategic partnership aims to jointly pursue long-term objectives, leveraging the transformative potential of the 4th Industrial Revolution to contribute to the wellbeing of the community and the sustainable health system in Vietnam.

AstraZeneca Vietnam and the Vietnam Young Physicians Association on January 28 signed a MoU to elevate cooperation between the two organisations

The event was attended by Prof. Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health; Ngo Van Cuong, secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union; Dr. Ha Anh Duc, chairman of the VYPA, Nitin Kapoor, AstraZeneca Vietnam chairman and general director; as well as representatives of ministries, provinces and cities, together with representatives of participating hospitals.

Nitin Kapoor said that over 30 years in Vietnam, AstraZeneca has run several impactful programmes in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and healthcare partners to promote disease awareness, prevention, and early detection, such as the Digital Lung Health Programme, Young Health Programme, and CaReMe, among others.

“We are immensely grateful for the valuable support and fruitful collaboration we have received from VYPA in implementing multiple health programmes in the past. Together, we have made a positive impact on numerous individuals and patients in Vietnam, leveraging digital innovations to improve access to healthcare. I am confident that this is just the beginning of our accelerated journey towards our shared objective of forging a healthier future for the people of Vietnam. Let’s act now for the future,” he said.

There are various activities that will be undertaken to achieve the shared objectives, including exchanging information and experts; cooperation in conducting scientific research and improving research capability in Vietnam; cooperation in conducting public awareness campaigns on the prevention and control of diseases and sustainable health system.

Moreover, both parties will also carry out the Implementation of joint programmes, projects, and activities.

This MoU solidifies AstraZeneca’s unwavering commitment to the sustainable advancement of Vietnam's healthcare system, working hand in hand with the Vietnam Young Physicians Association and healthcare partners to safeguard and enhance the health of the people for the years to come.

The sides also reviewed the "Digital Lung Health" programme, one of the inaugural initiative of the Healthcare Innovation Network, which has been jointly developed by the Vietnam Young Physicians Association and AstraZeneca Vietnam.

The programme aims at leveraging digital tools and platforms to provide free screenings for lung diseases and lung cancer, along with identifying underlying disease risks, to residents in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Can Tho, and Thua Thien-Hue.

Since November 19, 2023, starting from Ho Chi Minh City, the programme has been continuously conducted for two months with the participation of 25 hospitals across five provinces and cities.

Its outcomes include conducting X-rays for 64,268 out of 66,878 registered individuals aged 40 and above; prescribing 1,641 low dose CT scans, leading to detection of 141 cases of lung cancer; and performing 2,221 respiratory function tests, resulting in the identification of 456 cases of tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung abnormalities.

It also implemented an online screening platform that utilises AI on the phoikhoe.net website; and communication and advertising campaigns on Facebook, billboards in various provinces and cities, and mass media outlets to raise awareness of the programme.

These initial outcomes hold great significance because lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with an estimated 1.8 million deaths in 2020.

Besides this, approximately 75 per cent of lung cancer patients in Vietnam are diagnosed at an advanced stage, posing challenges to treatment, and often resulting in low survival rates. Consequently, early detection of lung cancer through screening plays a pivotal role in enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing costs for patients, as well as the national healthcare system.

As part of the programme, the Vietnamese Young Doctors Association also announced a lung disease and non-communicable disease screening platform on the phoikhoe.net website and the Facebook page. It is expected that the programme will complete health screenings, including X-ray examinations, for 100,000 individuals in February 2024.

AstraZeneca Vietnam received Certificate of Commendation for their outstanding accomplishments in the implementation of the Health Innovation Network programme during the period of 2023-2024

On this occasion, the Central Vietnamese Youth Union awarded a certificate of commendations to AstraZeneca and its representative for their enduring contributions to enhance the development of Vietnam health sector and community health.

Acknowledging AstraZeneca significant and remarkable contributions throughout this journey, the Central Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union has presented a Certificate of Commendation to AstraZeneca Vietnam and Phuong Le Tri, director of Medical, Regulatory and Quality of AstraZeneca Vietnam, for their outstanding accomplishments in the implementation of the Health Innovation Network programme in 2023-2024.

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