VN and Japan to exchange nurses and orderlies

HA NOI – Viet Nam and Japan have signed a co-operation agreement to exchange qualified nurses and orderlies between the two countries.

The document outlines the pledge made as a part of the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement signed in December 2008.

It also concretises a memorandum of understanding on the mechanism to receive qualified Vietnamese nurses and orderlies, signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda on October 31, 2011, during PM Dung's visit to Japan.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the agreement will help the two sides carry out their exchange as soon as this year and will strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Under the agreement, Japan will receive qualified Vietnamese nurses and orderlies in their profession and the Japanese language in order for them to study and work in Japan for three years (for nurses) and four years (for orderlies).

After that initial period, they have to pass the national certificate examination in order to continue working in Japan's hospitals and sanatoriums.

In turn, Viet Nam will allow Japanese nurses and orderlies with Vietnamese language ability to work in the country.

Viet Nam has become the third country to co-operate with Japan in the exchange of nurses and orderlies, following the Philippines and Indonesia.

Vietnamese candidates will take part in a 12-month training course to learn Japanese language and other basic knowledge before going to the Japan, which is seen as a leading healthcare provider worldwide. -- VNS