HCM CITY — The US drug multinational company Pfizer has signed a three- year memorandum of understanding with the HCM City Oncology Hospital for collaboration to improve cancer care at the latter.

This deal signed on May 20 aims to strengthen healthcare professionals’ capability and promote exchange of knowledge among international and local oncology experts.

It focuses on specialised training and knowledge-sharing in oncology, sponsor and collaborate in organising and participating in scientific and oncology conferences and implement community education programmes to raise awareness, promote early screening and enable timely intervention.

Dr. Diệp Bảo Tuấn, director of the hospital, said tackling cancer requires a comprehensive approach, starting with raising public awareness, promoting early screening, and ensuring timely and effective access to healthcare services.

“To achieve this, it is essential to build sustainable collaboration models between hospitals and partners who share the same vision.”

This strategic partnership would help gradually mitigate the impact of cancer on the Vietnamese population, he added.

According to the 2022 GLOBOCAN report, the cancer incidence rate in Việt Nam stands at 150.8 per 100,000 population. There were over 180,480 new cases and 120,184 cancer-related deaths in WHICH YEAR. 

The World Cancer Research Fund ranks Việt Nam 22nd globally for cancer incidence and 13th for cancer mortality. 

Experts highlight that many patients are diagnosed at late stages, leading to lower treatment success rates, higher medical costs and significant impacts on quality of life.

This situation underscores an urgent need to transform communication strategies to raise public awareness about cancer prevention and early detection, regularly update medical knowledge and foster greater international collaboration to improve outcomes for cancer patients in the country, they added.

Darrell Oh, general director of Pfizer Vietnam, said the company’s vision is a world where cancer patients live better and longer lives.

“We are committed to advancing breakthrough solutions and fostering multi-stakeholder collaborations to improve cancer prevention and treatment outcomes in Việt Nam.”

The company would continue to build on this model by collaboration with more institutions that share its vision for improved cancer care, he added. — VNS