Establishing specialized ENT center: Meeting development needs in new era

With a population approaching 5 million, Dong Nai City is facing increasing pressure to meet residents’ healthcare needs, including the growing demand for diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases.

An expert from the Vietnam National ENT Hospital, alongside physicians from Thong Nhat General Hospital, performs a surgical operation. Photo: Hanh Dung

With support from the Vietnam National ENT Hospital, Dong Nai’s healthcare sector is expediting preparations to establish a specialized ENT center to better serve the community’s healthcare needs.

Beyond treatment

Recently, the Vietnam National ENT Hospital organized a continuing medical training program focusing on rhinology and sinus diseases for ENT physicians in Dong Nai. As part of the program, Specialist Level II Dr. Ha Minh Loi, Head of the Rhinology Department; Resident Dr. Vu Manh Cuong, Deputy Head of the Direction and Outreach Department; and MSc. Dr. Nguyen Toan Thang from the Oncology Department performed two live endoscopic sinus surgeries in the operating rooms at Thong Nhat General Hospital.

According to Dr. Pham Thanh Nga, Head of the ENT Department at Thong Nhat General Hospital, the two patients, a 49-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman from Long Binh Ward, had suffered from chronic pansinusitis, bilateral nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, and hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates. Both had experienced symptoms such as nasal congestion and facial pain for more than a decade due to incomplete treatment.

The surgical teams from the Vietnam National ENT Hospital and Thong Nhat General Hospital performed endoscopic sinus surgery involving multiple sinus openings, nasal polyp removal, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction. Both patients recovered well after surgery.

Dr. Pham Thanh Nga noted that support from national-level specialists has helped local physicians standardize clinical procedures, indications, and surgical techniques more systematically and safely. In the future, the ENT Department aims to further improve surgical quality through greater specialization, standardized protocols, shorter recovery times, and gradual adoption of more advanced ENT techniques.

Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, Do Thi Nguyen, stated that in late 2025, a delegation from the Vietnam National ENT Hospital conducted an on-site assessment of the province’s healthcare capacity and proposed solutions to develop advanced ENT services. This cooperation serves as a strong foundation for improving diagnostic and treatment quality across the specialty.

According to the leader of the Dong Nai Department of Health, respiratory and ENT-related diseases in Dong Nai are increasing rapidly and affecting younger age groups. Hospitals are seeing not only common cases of rhinitis and pharyngitis but also numerous patients with recurrent chronic sinusitis, causing orbital complications. In addition, complex respiratory allergies linked to industrial environmental exposure are becoming more prevalent. Particularly concerning is the growing number of head and neck cancers detected at late stages. Such cases require multidisciplinary collaboration among ENT specialists, oncologists, and neurosurgeons.

“In the past, severe cases often had to be referred to higher-level hospitals, creating significant burdens for patients and their families. Therefore, Dong Nai’s healthcare sector is determined to change its treatment strategy by establishing a modern, comprehensive ENT center. The center will not only provide treatment but also serve as a hub for researching local disease patterns, developing standardized treatment protocols, applying advanced technologies, conducting early cancer screening, and effectively managing complex cases. The Department of Health is currently finalizing a proposal for investment in facilities and equipment, with the center expected to be located at Dong Nai General Hospital,” Dr. Do Thi Nguyen said.

Preparing human resources, facilities, and equipment

Specialist Level II Dr. Le Thi Phuong Tram, Deputy Director of Dong Nai General Hospital, said preparations for establishing the specialized ENT center are being carried out simultaneously in three key areas: legal procedures, infrastructure development, and workforce training.

From a legal perspective, the hospital has drafted a proposal to restructure its organizational model, including the establishment of an ENT center within Dong Nai General Hospital. The proposal has been submitted to the Department of Health for consultation with relevant agencies before being presented to the Dong Nai City People’s Committee for approval. Once approved, the hospital will issue regulations defining the center’s functions and responsibilities, appoint leadership personnel, and establish supporting departments to bring the center into operation.

Regarding infrastructure, the hospital plans to allocate additional space and expand inpatient facilities to increase bed capacity. It has also proposed investments in modern equipment for advanced diagnosis and treatment. Priority will be given to technologies for managing head and neck diseases, particularly radiotherapy systems for head and neck cancers, state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment for surgery and diagnosis to replace devices that have been in use for more than 20 years, as well as specialized audiology equipment such as audiometers, tympanometers, and auditory brainstem response systems. These investments are expected to significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes, particularly for complex cases.

In terms of human resources, Dong Nai General Hospital’s ENT Department currently has 12 physicians. The hospital has launched a phased training plan, sending three doctors at a time for advanced training at leading specialty hospitals. Priority training areas include head and neck surgery, rhinology and sinus surgery, and otology and mastoid surgery. Three physicians are already participating in advanced training programs. Head and neck surgery training will continue under the direct supervision of experts at the Vietnam National ENT Hospital. Meanwhile, rhinology and otology training will focus on managing complicated cases and treating serious complications.

“Alongside physicians, nurses are also a crucial component of the center’s operation. The hospital will continue recruiting, training, and retaining nursing staff to support the center’s long-term development,” Dr. Le Thi Phuong Tram emphasized.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Tuan Canh, Director of the Vietnam National ENT Hospital, affirmed that the hospital will continue to provide both in-person and online training support to help Dong Nai achieve its goal of establishing a specialized ENT center.

Praising Dong Nai’s proactive approach to developing advanced ENT services, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Tuan Canh noted that global trends have shifted significantly from traditional ENT practice toward integrated otorhinolaryngology and head-and-neck surgery. Establishing a comprehensive specialized center will create tremendous opportunities for the locality, enabling the training of highly skilled specialists, mastery of advanced techniques, and effective treatment of severe cases within the province. This will reduce the need for patient referrals, save time and costs for residents, and enhance the overall quality and reputation of Dong Nai’s healthcare system.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho