On November 3, 2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French organization, the Société d’Études et de Soins pour les Enfants Paralysés (SESEP). The agreement aims to strengthen professional training, facilitate clinical and academic exchange, promote scientific research, and advance the development of a multidisciplinary care model for children with neurological and motor disabilities, particularly children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Representatives of both institutions pose for a commemorative photo, marking the beginning of a long-term and sustainable partnership
Expanding International Collaboration to Enhance the Quality of Pediatric Care and Rehabilitation
SESEP is a French non-profit organization established in 1947. It brings together a network of physicians, therapists, and experienced healthcare professionals specializing in the care and rehabilitation of children with disabilities, particularly those with cerebral palsy. The organization focuses on promoting professional knowledge exchange, specialized training, and capacity building in pediatric rehabilitation.
Vietnam National Children’s Hospital is one of Vietnam’s leading tertiary referral hospitals specializing in pediatrics, with extensive expertise in providing highly specialized and comprehensive pediatric care. The hospital also serves as a major national center for clinical excellence, medical education and training, scientific research, and the development of national clinical practice guidelines in pediatrics and its subspecialties.
Building on the complementary strengths and expertise of both institutions, the two parties have agreed to establish and implement collaborative activities across several key areas, including:
- Joint organization of workshops, conferences, continuing medical education programs, clinical observerships, internships, and regular professional exchanges.
- Support for improving capabilities in assessment, treatment, monitoring, and counseling; and the development of care processes, motor rehabilitation, and occupational therapy to improve comprehensive care for children with cerebral palsy.
- Promotion of in-person and remote consultations and professional exchanges through digital tools, in accordance with practical needs and current regulations.
- Promotion of scientific research activities.
Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of the Hospital, and Dr. Sara Neumane, representative of SESEP, sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
At the ceremony, Professor Tran Minh Dien, Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, expressed his appreciation for welcoming the SESEP delegation of experts for a visit and discussions on the cooperation orientation between the two institutions. He emphasized that rehabilitation for children with disabilities requires close coordination among multiple medical specialties to comprehensively address their care and treatment needs. Through this collaboration, the Hospital aims to strengthen training, international experience exchange, and scientific research, thereby gradually enhancing professional capacity in this field. The Department of Rehabilitation will serve as the focal point, coordinating with relevant departments to effectively implement the agreed areas of cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien provides an overview of Vietnam Hospital’s scale and clinical capabilities, as well as its cooperation plans with SESEP
Dr. Sara Neumane, a pediatric neurologist and SESEP representative, expressed her pleasure at visiting and working with Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. She stated that SESEP focuses on collaborating with local healthcare and rehabilitation teams, promoting an interdisciplinary care model, and combining theoretical and practical training with the sharing of experience based on scientific evidence and adapted to local conditions. Dr. Sara Neumane expressed her confidence that the cooperation program would deliver practical outcomes and contribute to improving the quality of care and rehabilitation for children.
Dr. Sara Neumane shares the cooperation plans between the two institutions in pediatric care and rehabilitation
Strengthening Practical Training Towards Multidisciplinary Care
As part of the cooperation program, on November 2–3, 2026, the National Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with SESEP experts, organized a scientific workshop entitled “Comprehensive Rehabilitation Management of Spina Bifida”, attended by 40 physicians and rehabilitation technicians from the Departments of Rehabilitation, Urology, Neurosurgery, and Gastroenterology.
During the workshop, SESEP experts shared knowledge on neural tube defects, with a particular focus on spina bifida, covering its formation, embryonic development of the nervous system, and related clinical issues.
Dr. Sara Neumane shared valuable knowledge and practical experience during the program.
Dr. Tran Vinh Son, Specialist Level I, Deputy Head of the Department of Rehabilitation at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, stated that children with spina bifida may experience various problems affecting mobility, bowel function, renal and urinary function, as well as orthopedic complications, which can impact their daily activities and participation in social activities. Therefore, care should be individualized and involve a multidisciplinary approach.
Dr. Tran Vinh Son, Specialist Level I, Deputy Head of the Department of Rehabilitation at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, shared his insights during the program.
From November 4 to 6, 2026, the program will continue with clinical practice sessions in the Departments of Rehabilitation and Gastroenterology, among others. Under the guidance of French experts, physicians and nurses will exchange knowledge, demonstrate clinical cases, and discuss cases from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Through these practical collaborative activities, encompassing theoretical training, clinical practice, experience sharing, and scientific research, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and SESEP aim to gradually strengthen professional capacity, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and work towards developing a comprehensive care and rehabilitation model for children with neurological and motor disabilities in Vietnam.
