From September 21 to 25, 2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital (VNCH), in collaboration with Orbis, conducted a week-long hospital-based training program on pediatric strabismus and ocular motility disorders. The program combined theoretical instruction with hands-on training using actual clinical cases. By the end of the program, 31 pediatric patients had been examined and screened, including 17 who underwent surgery. At the same time, participating doctors and nurses had the opportunity to update their knowledge and advanced techniques in diagnosis and treatment.
The program provided an opportunity for doctors and nurses to exchange experience and enhance their specialized knowledge of pediatric eye care and treatment.
Hands-on Training Through Real Clinical Cases
The international experts directly involved in the training included Prof. Donny W. Suh, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Medical Director at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine (UCI), USA; Dr. Ghalib Mukadam, Consultant Anaesthetist at Princess Royal University Hospital, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK; and Kenan Mwenda Gachihi, nurse from the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital.
Four VNCH trainees received direct hands-on mentoring, including two ophthalmologists, one anesthesiologist, and one operating room nurse. The program also welcomed 14 observers from hospitals and universities across Vietnam.
Experts and doctors jointly reviewed and discussed actual clinical cases to identify the most appropriate treatment approach for each child.
During the five-day training program, 31 children with strabismus and ocular motility disorders underwent examination and screening, of whom 17 received surgery. For each case, the experts and participating doctors jointly assessed the clinical characteristics, discussed indications and treatment options, reviewed surgical techniques, and identified key considerations for post-intervention follow-up.
Through this process, the doctors were able to gain further experience in diagnosis and treatment, including advanced techniques such as botulinum toxin injections and surgical management of complex cases. Issues arising during actual examinations and treatment were discussed immediately, enabling trainees to gain a deeper understanding of clinical indications and the most appropriate approach for each patient.
Hands-on training enabled participating doctors to update their experience and techniques in clinical treatment.
In addition to the trainees receiving direct mentoring, lectures and scientific sessions held within the program attracted a large number of healthcare professionals both onsite and online, with approximately 150 participants attending each session. The training covered not only pediatric ophthalmology but also anesthesia, nursing, sterilization, and instrument reprocessing, contributing to greater safety throughout the surgical process.
Lectures and scientific sessions within the program attracted healthcare professionals attending both onsite and online.
Sustaining and Expanding Knowledge and Skills
According to Ms. Pham Kim Ngoc, Country Director of Orbis Vietnam, in addition to providing examination and treatment for pediatric patients, the program’s long-term objective is to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals so that the knowledge and skills acquired can continue to benefit patients after the training program concludes.
“We hope that following the program, the doctors and nurses who have received training will continue to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in caring for patients. At the same time, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, as a national-level referral hospital for pediatrics, will continue to provide professional support and share expertise with other healthcare facilities. Through these efforts, more Vietnamese children will have access to high-quality eye care services within the country,” Ms. Pham Kim Ngoc shared.
This direction has gradually been put into practice. Earlier, in August 2026, doctors from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, together with Orbis, provided support and hands-on guidance at three lower-level hospitals, progressively expanding training and professional support activities.
Speaking at the program, Prof. Tran Minh Dien, MD, PhD, Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, emphasized that the value of training lies not only in acquiring new knowledge and techniques, but more importantly in the ability to apply them in clinical practice and subsequently transfer them to colleagues. At times, the Hospital’s Department of Ophthalmology receives more than 200 pediatric patient visits in a single day, highlighting the significant need to strengthen advanced pediatric ophthalmology capacity at VNCH. The Hospital will therefore continue to provide favorable conditions in terms of training, equipment, and other necessary resources, enabling its healthcare professionals to progressively master and further develop the techniques transferred through the program.
“I expect that, following this training, doctors at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital will gradually develop into experts who are not only capable of directly treating pediatric patients, but also of providing guidance and transferring knowledge and techniques to their colleagues,” Prof. Tran Minh Dien emphasized.
Prof. Donny W. Suh expressed his pleasure with the outcomes of the program and his hope to continue accompanying and supporting Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in future professional and training activities.
Following the week-long training program, the knowledge, experience, and techniques shared will continue to be applied by VNCH doctors in their clinical practice. Together with continued investment in human resources and equipment, as well as strengthened professional cooperation, these efforts provide an important foundation for Vietnam National Children’s Hospital to further enhance its advanced pediatric ophthalmology capacity and better meet the growing demand for examination and treatment among children.
The Organizing Committee presented certificates of course completion to the trainees.
The Organizing Committee and trainees took a commemorative photo at the conclusion of the program.
