HCM City — The Anesthesia and Intensive Care Simulation Center opened yesterday at the University Medical Centre (UMC) in HCM City with the aim of providing training to healthcare professionals in southern Việt Nam.

Sponsored by GE Healthcare and VietMedical, the new centre is expected to train at least 400 doctors, specialty trainees and students each year by supporting simulation training and teaching of anesthesia and intensive care techniques, as well as promote knowledge sharing in the field through demonstrations and equipment showcases.

“This is where we will have the chance to interact with international trainers, exchange domain expertise, and simulate crisis scenarios that, although rare, will demand the most of a doctor’s skill and expertise in the most critical moments,” Nguyễn Hoàng Bắc, director of UMC, said.

“It will help medical staff become well-prepared for unexpected situations, resulting in safer surgery and better patient outcomes for the Vietnamese community,” he added.

GE Healthcare will develop the training plan and content, and organise training courses tied to international best practices with support from experts.

Meanwhile,VietMedical, GE Healthcare’s authorised distributor in Việt Nam, will be responsible for providing a suite of innovative equipment including anesthesia machines, patient monitors, ventilators, information connecting systems, monitor systems, ECG carts, ultrasound machines and simulator.

These cutting-edge technologies cover advanced features of low flow anesthesia, target-controlled infusion, balanced anesthesia, and pulmonary mobilisation in general anesthesia, as well as high-level hemodynamic parameters.

The anesthesia system also includes basic anesthesia machine which is suitable for provincial hospitals.

“Human capacity and technology are the key to enhancing healthcare systems sustainably. Well-trained anesthesiologists deliver safer and better patient treatment, while advanced equipment supports them to make decisions faster and more accurately,” said Nilesh Shah, general manager for GE Healthcare’s Clinical Care Solutions, ASEAN, Africa and South Asia.

This center is the second of its kind in the country, following the successful model called the Simulation Lab for Anesthesia and Intensive Care launched at Việt Đức Hospital in Hà Nội in July 2016, which is under management and administration of the Việt Nam Society of Anesthesiology (VSA).

The country’s healthcare system is facing numerous challenges, one of which is the lack of skilled doctors working in anesthesia.

According to a report by VSA, the ratio of anesthesiologists in Việt Nam is 1 for 96,491 people while it is 1 for 24,748 in Singapore and 1 for 28,118 in the Philippines. — VNS