The project started in 2018 and sought to raise the quality of haemodialysis care in northern Vietnam. During the project, a team of Singapore International Volunteers (SIV), comprising doctors, and nurse specialists from the TTSH’s Department of Renal Medicine, worked with their counterparts from HMU. They also worked with Bach Mai and Viet Duc hospitals and other dialysis centres in Hanoi.

The SIVs trained close to 260 Vietnamese practitioners, of whom 12 were then picked to become master trainers (MT). The MTs were taught advanced skill sets, with which they trained others. To date, these MTs have trained more than 150 healthcare workers and raised the overall quality of care for more than 2,500 renal patients in the region.

The project enhanced the training of Vietnamese caregivers on safe practices and updated them about the current standards of renal care through a series of interactive knowledge-exchange components. These include:

1. Clinical Training – A series of six workshops (five onsite and one online) comprising basic, intermediate, and advanced modules for haemodialysis caregivers, including senior management staff.
2. Leadership Engagement – A focus group and a roundtable discussion for leaders and senior management to review haemodialysis procedures in central and provincial hospitals in Vietnam.
3. Study Visit to Singapore – An in-person visit to Singapore from 8 to 11 July 2019 saw senior management and selected MTs learn about standards of care and clinical practices in Singapore.
4. Symposium and Public Education – Healthcare professionals from both countries shared current standards, the latest research, and public health collaterals in haemodialysis care at a closing symposium on 12 March 2023.
5. Haemodialysis Guidelines Development – A set of guidelines on current practices developed and distributed to haemodialysis centres in northern Vietnam.

Ms Jean Tan, Executive Director, SIF said: “The SIF is proud of its five-year healthcare collaboration with Hanoi Medical University and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Together, we have achieved significant social impact outcomes including the provision of better haemodialysis care to renal patients in northern Vietnam.”

She added: “Singapore and Vietnam have enjoyed 50 years of bilateral cooperation. The SIF is pleased to steward meaningful initiatives that further strengthen ties at the people-to-people level and contribute to positive social changes. We look forward to more such impactful projects with Vietnam in building a better world.”

Professor Hà Phan Hải An, Associate Professor, HMU said: “We are pleased to have worked with the SIF and TTSH on this meaningful project. We are grateful for the warm support from the SIVs, who have worked tirelessly to impart knowledge to Vietnamese trainees over the years. We are certain that the friendships and spirit of cooperation between our communities will continue for many years to come.”

Dr Yeo See Cheng, Head of Department, Senior Consultant, TTSH, said: “The Haemodialysis Care Project is a five-year collaboration that has enabled our healthcare professionals from Singapore and Vietnam to engage in meaningful co-learning and exchanges. Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, both sides forged ahead with virtual training and overcame challenges. It has been a rewarding journey for the TTSH’s Renal Medicine team, and we are grateful to the SIF and HMU for this opportunity to raise haemodialysis care and in turn, support vulnerable communities.”

Since 1994, the SIF has been working with various institutional and individual partners in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in the fields of healthcare, education, arts and culture, and social entrepreneurship.

In 2022, the SIF was awarded the Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations in recognition of the SIF’s contributions in promoting cooperation between the two countries, including the deepening of ties and friendship at the people-to-people level. At the award ceremony in Singapore, a Letter of Intent was signed between the SIF and the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association, to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, including through working on collaborative projects at the people-to-people level.