The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Tuesday announced training and technical support for Bach Mai Hospital Stroke Center to improve stroke care in Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region.

The announcement affirmed U.S. support for strengthening health cooperation and assisting Vietnam’s critical medical facilities under the U.S.-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in the Southeast Asian country's international relations, the USAID said in a press release on the same day.

The two nations upgraded their ties in September last year in U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi and USAID implementing partner Federation Handicap International was signed to enhance the hospital’s leadership as a national and Mekong sub-regional Center of Excellence for stroke care. 

The MOU, signed by Associate Professor Dao Xuan Co, director of Bach Mai Hospital, and Mazedul Haque, Federation Handicap International country manager, will strengthen the care for persons with stroke at the Bach Mai Stroke Center. 

Vietnam is among the countries with the highest incidence rate of stroke, with about 200,000 cases yearly. 

Stroke is the second-most common cause of death in the country. Among survivors, this condition leaves a high rate of disability.

“We are pleased to continue the partnership with Bach Mai Hospital through its stroke and rehabilitation centers,” said Aler Grubbs, USAID mission director in Vietnam, was quoted as saying in the press release. 

“We look forward to helping Vietnam expand the application of international best practices in saving lives and reducing disabilities among stroke victims."

According to the MOU, the USAID implementing partner will collaborate with Bach Mai Hospital over the next two years to develop a specialized workforce by supporting postgraduate training, particularly in the fields of stroke and cerebrovascular disease for doctors.

The initiative also aims to enhance the delivery of multidisciplinary services for patients, with specific attention to ensuring a seamless continuum of care throughout the entire care pathway.

This deal will facilitate enhanced coordination between the two parties, promoting the exchange of best practices and technical support through both national and international networks.

It is also targeted at strengthening the research capacities of both the Stroke Center and the Rehabilitation Center at Bach Mai Hospital.

The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the USAID, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have partnered with Bach Mai Hospital for over 30 years as the hospital has become one of the leading institutions in rehabilitation in Vietnam.

In the previous year, USAID administrator Samantha Power visited Bach Mai Hospital.

In 2022, the United States contributed a new liquid oxygen system, marking the largest of 13 such systems provided to healthcare facilities throughout Vietnam.

This support is meant to augment the care for patients, particularly those with severe cases of COVID-19 and other ailments.

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