Representatives of K Hospital and Novartis Vietnam sign a Memorandum of Understanding for a project to strengthen healthcare capability for cancer patients in Việt Nam on September 22. — Photo courtesy of the hospital

HÀ NỘI — K (Cancer) Hospital and Novartis Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a project to strengthen healthcare capabilities for cancer patients in Việt Nam on September 22.

“The partnership between the National Cancer Hospital and Novartis will contribute to improving the qualification of healthcare practitioners, providing opportunities for domestic colleagues and international experts to share, exchange experiences and update the latest knowledge on cancer treatment in the world. With the companionship of Novartis, we are confident that we can contribute more to cancer prevention as well as in public health care,” said Prof. Dr. Lê Văn Quảng, Director of K Hospital.

The project includes four components focusing on enhancing scientific information, professional knowledge for medical staff and clinical research activities at the hospital.

Accordingly, Novartis will support K Hospital to carry out national and international scientific events to update international guidelines on cancer prevention, care and treatment and coordinate in organising scientific training under the "Cancer Focus" programme to provide knowledge and clinical cases through a digital platform.

The two sides will also cooperate in implementing the project on "Strengthening breast cancer management in Bắc Ninh Province in the period of 2022-23" and improving the research capacity of medical experts in the oncology system in Việt Nam.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Cancer Institute (VNCI), K Hospital announced the launch of the project "Strengthening Breast Cancer Care for patients” implemented in Bắc Ninh Province.

The project will focus activities on providing education and training to improve the capability of health workers at all levels in the province in screening, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast cancer. It will also help develop standards for screening and early detection of breast cancer and screening for early detection for high-risk populations and setting up and standardising breast cancer registry in the province.

“We always put the patient at the centre and are constantly working to find solutions to ensure patients have access to high quality innovative medicines to help them improve their health and live longer. In addition, we are committed to developing community health care projects, expanding public-private partnership programmes to contribute to improving the performance of Việt Nam's health system. Activities in the scope of the MoU and this 'Strengthening breast cancer care for patients in Bắc Ninh' demonstrate our commitment,” said Karina Ng, Novartis Vietnam Country President.

In Việt Nam, according to statistics of the Global Cancer Registry (GLOBOCAN 2020), breast cancer is one of the most common cancers with 21,555 new cases, accounting for nearly 25.8 per cent of total cancer cases. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer is one of the causes that reduce the chances of effective treatment and affects survival time as well as quality of life. — VNS