US supports Bach Mai Hospital to improve stroke patient care

The United States wants to help Vietnam increase the application of world best practices in treating patients and reducing disability in stroke patients.

Hoa Kỳ hỗ trợ Bệnh viện Bạch Mai cải thiện chăm sóc đột quỵ tại Việt Nam

The United States affirms to increase medical support for Vietnam. In the photo, Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Co - Director of Bach Mai Hospital and Chief Representative of HI Mazedul Haque signed a memorandum of understanding on January 16, in Hanoi. (Photo: DK)

On January 16, the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced training and technical assistance to the Stroke Center of Bach Mai Hospital (BVBM) to improve stroke patient care in Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region.

This announcement affirms U.S. support for enhanced health cooperation and support for Vietnam's vital health facilities within the framework of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

USAID Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs attended and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BVBM and USAID's project partner, Federation Handicap International (HI), on cooperation to strengthen BVBM's leadership role as the leading stroke care center in the country and the Mekong sub-region.

According to the memorandum signed by Associate Professor, Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of the Hospital for Stroke and Chief Representative of HI Mazedul Haque, the two sides will cooperate and focus on improving stroke patient care at the Hospital for Stroke's Stroke Center.

Vietnam has one of the highest stroke rates in the world, with around 200,000 people suffering from stroke each year. Stroke is the second leading cause of death in Vietnam. Among stroke survivors, the rate of disability due to stroke is high.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with BVBM through the Stroke Center and the Rehabilitation Center,” said USAID Vietnam Mission Director Aler Grubbs. “We look forward to helping Vietnam advance the adoption of global best practices in saving lives and reducing disability among stroke survivors.”

Under the memorandum, over the next two years, USAID’s project partner HI will work with the hospital to enhance specialist capacity by supporting postgraduate training in stroke and cerebrovascular disease for physicians; enhance multidisciplinary service delivery to ensure continuity of care for patients throughout the treatment process; enhance coordination, sharing of good practice skills and technical support through national and international networks; and enhance the research capacity of the hospital’s Stroke Center and Rehabilitation Center.

The U.S. Mission to Vietnam, through USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has partnered with BVBM for over 30 years and BVBM is one of the leading rehabilitation service providers in Vietnam.

In 2023, USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited the Rehabilitation Center of the Military Hospital, and in 2022, the United States provided the hospital with a liquid oxygen system, the largest of 13 liquid oxygen systems that the United States has funded for medical facilities across the country, to support the care of severely ill Covid-19 patients as well as other care and treatment activities.

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