Vietnam National ENT Hospital works in Dong Nai on cooperation and technical transfer

On the afternoon of October 14, a delegation from the National Otorhinolaryngology Hospital of Vietnam, also known as Vietnam National Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) Hospital, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tuan Canh, Director of the hospital, paid a working visit to Dong Nai General Hospital. Receiving the delegation was Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee.

Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son delivers the concluding remarks at the meeting. Photo: Hoan Le

A representative from Dong Nai General Hospital stated that the hospital is currently capable of performing the most common ENT procedures, including nasal and sinus surgery, vocal cord nodule suspension, and mastoidectomy.

However, severe and complex cases such as hypopharyngeal-laryngeal tumors, tonsil cancer, chronic ear diseases... still need to be transferred to higher-level hospitals. In 2024, the hospital transferred 42 cases of hypopharyngeal-laryngeal tumors and 15 cases of chronic otitis media due to exceeding its professional capacity.

In the near future, the hospital’s ENT department plans to develop specialized techniques, including ossicular chain reconstruction, treatment of cholesteatoma, laryngeal tumor surgery, and head and neck tumor surgery. However, achieving this will require a team of highly trained doctors and modern equipment.

The leader of Dong Nai General Hospital reports at the meeting. Photo: Hoan Le

Speaking at the meeting, Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Health, Do Thi Nguyen, said: With a population of nearly 4.5 million people, the demand for ENT examinations and treatment in Dong Nai is very high. The province aims to strengthen the development of its grassroots healthcare system, in which regional medical centers and commune health stations will have their professional capacities enhanced to meet the healthcare needs of the people. Therefore, cooperation with the Central ENT Hospital is of great significance in training and technical transfer in the province.

Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Provincial Department of Health, speaks at the meeting. Photo: Hoan Le

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tuan Canh highly appreciated the current human resource capacity of the ENT department at Dong Nai General Hospital, which includes eight doctors, many of whom have received postgraduate training. He recommended that the hospital develop a specialized roadmap for each surgical group, such as ear, nasal sinus, and head and neck surgery. At the same time, he advised the hospital to plan investments in modern equipment, particularly surgical microscopes and laser-assisted devices.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tuan Canh also stated that the Central Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital is ready to support human resource training for Dong Nai General Hospital in two phases. In the first phase, doctors will undergo three months of training at the Central ENT Hospital to enhance their professional skills. In the second phase, specialists will travel to Dong Nai to provide hands-on training and on-site technical transfer.

Additionally, the hospital can organize short-term, specialized continuing medical education courses for healthcare workers and doctors across Dong Nai province.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Tuan Canh, Director of the Central ENT Hospital, shares about the cooperation orientation in Dong Nai. Photo: Hoan Le

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Truong Son highly appreciated the cooperation of the Central ENT Hospital. He affirmed that the province will create favorable conditions for the parties to carry out related activities.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also proposed that the Department of Health develop a five-year cooperation program with the Central Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital. The program will cover areas such as human resource training, technical transfer, equipment investment, and policy mechanisms to attract specialist doctors. This initiative aims to enhance the province’s capacity for specialized ENT treatment, better meeting the healthcare needs of the population amid Dong Nai’s rapid industrial development and growing demand for a high-quality workforce.

By Hanh Dung, Hoan Le – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho