On December 2, 2024, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding with Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital, both part of the Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). This significant milestone opens up numerous opportunities for advancing pediatric healthcare, especially in children cancer treatment.
AP-HP (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris) is recognized as one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious healthcare systems, encompassing hospitals, research institutes, and renowned universities. Both Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital are leading institutions, pioneering in cancer research and treatment, with a strong focus on pediatrics.
The collaboration between Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital aims to foster specialization development, including activities such as professional exchange, promotion of training programs, expert and student exchanges, conferences, multidisciplinary consultations, and knowledge sharing between the parties. Priority areas include imaging diagnostics, pathology, biochemistry, surgery, radiotherapy, clinical treatment, and supportive care for children with cancer.
Speaking at the ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, highlighted that the hospital is the largest pediatric specialty hospital in Vietnam, receiving over 4,000 patients daily, many with severe and complex conditions. Despite resource limitations compared to developed countries, the hospital takes pride in its experienced team of over 600 doctors and 1,200 nurses.
In 2025, the hospital plans to launch a second campus with 300 beds, providing additional space and modern infrastructure for pediatric healthcare.
Over the years, the hospital has built a strong cooperative relationship with Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital through regular online consultations and annual training programs and workshops.
“This partnership with the Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital offers a great opportunity for our medical team to enhance their professional expertise, contributing to the best care for children in Vietnam,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien.
From the French side, Mr. Giles Angles, Health Attaché of the French Embassy in Vietnam, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and emphasized the importance of healthcare collaboration in Vietnam-France relations. He also encouraged Vietnamese doctors to participate in training courses in France to improve the quality of pediatric healthcare.
Dr. Pascale Marie Philippe – Chonette, Surgeon at Robert Debré Hospital, highlighted that pediatric cancer treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, surgeons, pathologists, and others. The collaboration between Robert Debré Hospital and Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has yielded encouraging results, with both teams sharing valuable experiences in diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive care for pediatric cancer patients.
The signing ceremony marks a significant step forward in enhancing pediatric cancer treatment at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and in Vietnam overall, while also strengthening the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and France.
Following the ceremony, experts from Curie Institute and Robert Debré Hospital participated in the “Pediatric Oncology Workshop 2024” at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital from December 2-6, 2024. The hybrid event attracted medical professionals from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and pediatric, obstetric-pediatric, and general hospitals nationwide, featuring 20 in-depth presentations focusing on the latest trends in pediatric cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.