HA NOI — Pfizer Vietnam on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with K Hospital for enhancing its medical personnel’s capabilities in treating cancer.

The three-year partnership aims to enhance healthcare workforce capacity through practical training and fostering expert networking both locally and internationally. 

It will involve sponsoring and co-hosting scientific meetings to improve the workers’ skills in treating cancer, supporting participation in domestic and foreign conferences in oncology and clinical pharmacy and providing education grants to raise community awareness of common cancers.

A leading oncology facility, K Hospital manages complex cancer cases and provides oncology care expertise and direction to improve treatment.

Prof. Dr. Le Van Quang, director of K Hospital, said cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Viet Nam.

Late detection, complex treatment pathways and high treatment costs continue to strain the healthcare system.

“Strategic partnerships with organisations like Pfizer Vietnam are essential to expand advanced disease management training, learn best practices and work towards more sustainable and patient-centered treatment outcomes"

Pfizer similar agreements with the Viet Nam Cancer Association and HCM City Oncology Hospital this year.

Prof. Dr. Bui Dieu, president of the Viet Nam Cancer Association, said as oncology evolves rapidly, continuous education and knowledge updates are essential.

“We value our collaboration with Pfizer Vietnam as it offers a great opportunity to share knowledge, access the latest research and enhance professional capacity to provide more modern and comprehensive care for cancer patients.”

According to WHO’s “Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Strategy for South-East Asia 2024-30,” the region is facing a rapidly growing cancer burden, with about 2.4 million new cases and 1.5 million deaths recorded in 2022.

These figures are projected to rise by 85.7 per cent by 2050, driven by population aging, environmental pollution and increasingly unhealthy lifestyles.

In Viet Nam, between 2022 to 2050 new cancer cases are predicted to rise by 71.7 per cent to nearly 310, 000 and deaths by 86.5 per cent to 224,165.

Vietnamese  spend an estimated US$2 billion annually on overseas treatment, with cancer being one of the leading causes due to it highly complex and specialised treatment requirements.

This underscores the urgent need to enhance domestic oncology diagnosis, treatment and management capabilities, with a focus on building a skilled medical workforce and developing a comprehensive care system.

These are crucial foundations to improve healthcare quality, better meet patient needs, and gradually narrow the gap with more advanced healthcare systems.

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

“We hope this collaboration will deliver meaningful and sustainable value to the country’s cancer care system.” — VNS