Da Nang City’s Oncology Hospital and pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca Viet Nam have inked memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on treatment capability improvement and comprehensive caring for lung cancer patients in the central region, and the ‘Healthy Lung Viet Nam’ programme in 2021-23.

The hospital said the MoUs, signed on Monday, will focus on clinical research in cancer, medical staff training and support for patients as well as co-operation with international organisations and agencies operating in cancer research and treatment.

The two partners also agreed to the ‘Healthy Lung Viet Nam’ programme for the second stage of co-operation to improve awareness of lung cancer through comprehensive healthcare and education.

The programme will help boost lung cancer management and network development, promoting screening and early diagnosis of lung cancer.

It also aims to increase testing practice and diagnosis abilities for medical staff and treatment quality at satellite hospitals, as well as community awareness of lung cancer.

In recent years, AstraZeneca and the hospital launched an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation testing programme for non-small cell lung cancer patients in the central region.

The 550-bed hospital, the biggest cancer hospital in central Viet Nam, has been overloaded with patients from the city and 40 other provinces and cities.

According to the Ministry of Health, lung cancer has a high fatality rate among cancer patients, and 70 per cent of cancer patients arrive at the hospital for examinations after the cancer has already developed.

Earlier this month, the UK and Viet Nam committed to taking action against drug resistance.

The agreement supports the existing work of UK aid’s Fleming Fund in Viet Nam, a programme aimed at equipping laboratories and strengthening AMR surveillance systems in low-and middle-income countries. — VNS