MSD ties with Ministry of Health on HPV projects

Do Xuan Tuyen, MoH's Permanent Deputy Minister, emphasised the crucial role of communication in raising public awareness of HPV, its related diseases, particularly cervical cancer, and effective preventive measures

The event welcomed leaders from the MoH, the Vietnam Women's Union, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, alongside senior representatives from MoH departments, affiliated units, international health organisations, medical experts, and media outlets.

Commitment to community health

At the ceremony, the National Centre for Health Communication and Education and MSD Vietnam signed a cooperation agreement, marking their collaboration on this national campaign. The initiative will focus on public awareness through health education programmes across multiple provinces and cities, working with health organisations and authorities to implement targeted communication strategies.

Do Xuan Tuyen, Permanent Deputy Minister of Health said, “The launch of this campaign is a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to combat disease and protect public health. It will enhance efforts to raise awareness of HPV-related illnesses–especially cervical cancer–and encourage effective prevention measures for cancer. The campaign provides vital knowledge on prevention, early detection, and the adoption of proactive health habits.”

Vu Manh Cuong, director of the National Centre for Health Education and Communication, and Katharina Geppert, managing director of MSD Vietnam, co-signed the agreement, symbolizing the joint commitment of both parties.

Vu Manh Cuong, director of the MoH's National Centre for Health Education and Communication, and Katharina Geppert, managing director of MSD Vietnam signing an agreement for the collaboration of both parties

“I'm honoured to be part of this effort. Through this campaign, I hope to raise awareness and help spread the message to a wider audience, reducing the burden of this dangerous virus,” said singer Ha Anh Tuan, the campaign's ambassador.

The campaign will continue with a series of community activities and exhibitions in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as outreach in rural areas, aiming to reach more than 50,000 people.

Advancing healthcare

MSD has long championed innovative technologies to improve community education on vaccine-preventable diseases. At the HPV AI Exhibition “For a Vietnam Free from the Burdens of HPV,” the company uses AI and 3D projection to create interactive educational experiences, making health information more engaging and accessible. The aim is to empower individuals to protect their health and that of their families, with a focus on HPV-related diseases, including cancer.

“I'm pleased to see a US pharmaceutical company like MSD contributing to efforts to fight HPV in Vietnam. Every organisation and sector must play its part,” Knapper said.

By utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as interactive LED screens, creative games, and augmented reality, it can easily access information about preventing HPV-related diseases and cancers

The exhibition, held on March 29–30 on Dinh Tien Hoang street in Hanoi, is free to the public. Visitors can explore information about HPV prevention through interactive LED screens, educational games, and augmented reality. Minah, an AI-powered virtual ambassador, guides through key messages and interactive knowledge-sharing activities.

HPV can cause several serious conditions, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers in both men and women. According to Globocan 2022, Vietnam reports around 6,200 HPV-related cancer cases annually, with over 2,500 cervical cancer deaths among women each year.

Without timely interventions, an estimated 200,000 Vietnamese women could lose their lives to HPV-related diseases by 2070. These sobering figures underscore the urgency of expanding awareness and implementing preventive measures at the community level.

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