On December 10, 2025, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH), in collaboration with Orbis Project International, officially launched the project “Enhancing the Quality of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Eye Diseases at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital” and organized the scientific workshop “Strengthening Capacity for the Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)”.
This event was of great significance not only in terms of professional expertise but also in its profound humanitarian value, demonstrating the joint efforts of domestic and international organizations toward the shared goal of protecting vision and opening a brighter future for Vietnamese children.
The project launch ceremony was held in a formal and dignified atmosphere at the Ho Chi Minh Hall, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
A significant milestone in advancing pediatric eye care
The project is funded by a non-refundable grant from Orbis Project International (USA) and was approved by the Ministry of Health under Decision No. 3475/QD-BYT. Beyond strengthening the professional capacity of healthcare workers, the project is expected to have a long-term impact on Vietnam’s pediatric eye care system by enabling earlier detection of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants, improving treatment outcomes, and reducing the risk of future visual impairment.
The program was honored to welcome leaders from departments and agencies of the Ministry of Health; representatives of provincial Departments of Health; leaders of ophthalmology hospitals, children’s hospitals, and obstetrics–pediatrics hospitals nationwide; representatives of Orbis Project International; the Board of Directors of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital; and domestic and international experts in pediatrics and obstetrics.
Representative of Orbis Project International presents medical equipment to the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Professor Tran Minh Dien, MD, PhD – Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, emphasized: “The objective of the project is to enhance professional capacity and the quality of pediatric eye care services, particularly in the early detection and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), thereby helping to prevent the risk of blindness in newborns and young children. This is a crucial and highly meaningful goal for public health, especially as ROP remains one of the leading causes of preventable visual impairment among preterm infants.”
In the coming period, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital will work closely with Orbis to implement key professional activities, including:
- Training and technology transfer on ROP screening and management for ophthalmologists at obstetrics–pediatrics hospitals in northern Vietnam;
- Strengthening professional consultation and multidisciplinary case discussions, and establishing an effective and sustainable ROP care network;
- Collecting and analyzing diagnostic and treatment data on ROP as a basis for policy recommendations to the Ministry of Health, aiming to standardize pediatric eye care models nationwide.
Professor Tran Minh Dien reaffirmed the hospital’s strong commitment to closely coordinating with Orbis to ensure the project is implemented on schedule, effectively, and delivers the greatest possible benefits to patients.
Introducing the project and sharing insights at the event, Ms. Pham Kim Ngoc – Country Director of Orbis Project International in Vietnam, expressed confidence that the project would help strengthen the ROP screening, diagnosis, and treatment network across Vietnam, moving toward a comprehensive care model from the central to provincial levels.
Orbis expects that the application of technology, continuous training, and expanded teleconsultation will enable more infants to be detected early and treated promptly, thereby reducing the rate of ROP-related blindness.
Ms. Pham Kim Ngoc, Country Director of Orbis Project International in Vietnam, is speaking at the project launch ceremony.
Dr. Tong Tran Ha, MD, PhD – Deputy Director General of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, commended the efforts of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in its role as the national tertiary pediatric referral center and acknowledged the long-standing partnership and commitment of Orbis in Vietnam.
He noted that improving the quality of diagnosis and treatment for pediatric eye diseases, particularly ROP, is a key priority for the healthcare sector in the national strategy for maternal and child health. Therefore, this project is timely, practical, and well aligned with the strategic direction of the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Tong Tran Ha also highly appreciated the project’s comprehensive approach—from strengthening professional capacity and standardizing referral coordination across levels, to enhancing community health education and developing a sustainable, scalable model nationwide. This approach reflects a modern, child-centered philosophy consistent with global medical trends.
Dr. Tong Tran Ha affirmed that the Ministry of Health will continue to support the project through appropriate mechanisms and policies to ensure effective implementation.
Updated knowledge and practical experience shared at the scientific workshop
Immediately following the project launch ceremony, the scientific workshop “Strengthening Capacity for the Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity” was held, with participation from experts in ophthalmology and neonatology from children’s hospitals, obstetrics–pediatrics hospitals, and specialized eye hospitals nationwide.
The workshop featured three main presentations, focusing on the current situation, advances in treatment, and intervention strategies to reduce the risk of ROP in preterm infants.
The presentations were highly practical and attracted strong interest from participants.
In the presentation “Current Status of Retinopathy of Prematurity Management at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital,” Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Chung, MD, PhD – Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, provided a comprehensive overview of ROP screening, diagnosis, and management at the hospital. In the context of a growing number of preterm births, the hospital has established close multidisciplinary coordination, expanded screening programs, and applied teleconsultation with lower-level facilities. Timely screening and continuous follow-up were emphasized as the foundation for reducing severe ROP.
In the presentation “Updates in the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity,” Dr. Nguyen Xuan Tinh, MD, PhD – Director of Hanoi Eye Hospital and Deputy Head of the Department of Refractive Ophthalmology, Hanoi Medical University, highlighted that Anti-VEGF therapy is increasingly used worldwide due to its superior effectiveness, particularly in aggressive ROP (A-ROP). While Anti-VEGF has significantly improved prognosis, early screening remains the decisive factor.
In the presentation “Treatment and Care Strategies for Preterm Infants to Reduce the Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity,” Dr. Le Thi Ha, MD, Specialist Level II – Director of the Neonatal Center, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, emphasized the critical role of neonatal care in ROP prevention strategies, including appropriate oxygen administration, the “golden hours” after birth, good clinical practices in ROP prevention, and the importance of adequate nutrition.
Participants actively engaged in discussions and raised questions during the workshop.
The workshop served as a valuable forum for in-depth and practical professional exchange, contributing to the strengthening of the pediatric eye care collaboration network between Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and hospitals nationwide. Experts expressed confidence that the shared knowledge would help improve the quality of ROP screening and treatment, thereby protecting vision and enhancing the quality of life for Vietnamese children.
