Over two days (13–14 April 2026), Vietnam National Children’s Hospital welcomed and worked with a delegation of experts from the Project Vietnam Foundation (PVF, USA) to discuss directions for future collaboration in mental health and neonatal care. The working sessions were attended by leaders and specialists from both organizations and were conducted in an open, collaborative atmosphere.
During the meetings, both sides reviewed the increasing demand for pediatric healthcare services. Currently, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital receives approximately 4,000–5,000 outpatient visits per day and around 2,000 pediatric inpatient admissions, while the mental health field alone records about 200 pediatric visits per day—reflecting significant pressure on the care system.
In response, the Hospital is developing new models of care, including integrating school health services with psychology to improve treatment outcomes and long-term follow-up. The Hospital is also strengthening the role of pediatricians in early detection, family support, and guidance on interventions for children with developmental delays, while enhancing coordination with the education system, according to Dr. Cao Viet Tung, MD, Deputy Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
In neonatal care, the Hospital continues to affirm its capacity to manage severe and complex cases, particularly preterm infants and high-risk neonates. The Neonatal Care Center manages 100–150 inpatients daily, including many cases requiring advanced techniques such as mechanical ventilation and dialysis.
PVF experts highly appreciated Vietnam National Children’s Hospital’s leading role in Vietnam’s pediatric healthcare system. They also highlighted the two sides’ more than 30-year collaboration, with notable contributions including support for the implementation of the vitamin K prophylaxis policy for newborns since 1999.
PVF experts shared international experience in developing comprehensive care models—particularly primary mental health care approaches that enable pediatricians to manage mild-to-moderate psychological concerns at the primary care level. They also introduced frameworks for neurodevelopmental care and shared experience in postpartum depression screening for mothers whose infants are treated in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)—highly practical topics for clinical application.
Experts from both Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and PVF emphasized the importance of integrating medical care with psychosocial support, strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration, and enhancing the role of community health services to improve the quality of care for children.
Based on the discussions, both sides agreed to further promote cooperation in training, technology/technique transfer, and experience sharing, while also advancing activities that combine clinical practice with policy advocacy, toward the goal of improving the quality of care and holistic development for children in Viet Nam.
Digital Information Office – Training and Research Institute for Child Health
