Developing data systems, applying gene sequencing technology, supporting treatment medicines, and expanding the childhood cancer network were the key focuses at the working session on August 17, 2026, between Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and representatives of St. Jude Global Alliance. The new cooperation directions are expected to contribute to enhancing treatment capacity, while simultaneously helping Vietnam connect more deeply with the global pediatric cancer network.
St. Jude Global Alliance is an international network established by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (USA) in December 2018.
Speaking at the program, Prof. Tran Minh Dien, MD, PhD – Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, expressed his appreciation for the cooperative relationship between the two sides and St. Jude’s continuous support for the care and treatment of childhood cancer in Vietnam over the past many years.
Prof. Tran Minh Dien stated that, in the coming time, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital desires to focus discussions on cooperation directions such as: developing next-generation gene sequencing capacity, strengthening data management, and improving access to essential medicines for children with cancer. Besides that, the Hospital expects to work with St. Jude to expand the childhood cancer network in Vietnam, connecting more domestic children’s hospitals with the global pediatric cancer network, thereby creating conditions for doctors and medical staff to share knowledge, experience, and expand opportunities to access high-quality cancer care services for children.
Prof. Tran Minh Dien noted that the cooperation between the two sides has received the attention of the Party, the State, and the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, which creates momentum and many favorable conditions to promote cooperation programs in the coming time.
Representative of St. Jude Global Alliance, Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo – St. Jude Global Asia Pacific Regional Program Lead, affirmed the commitment to accompany Vietnam in general and Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in particular in developing the field of pediatric oncology. Accordingly, this visit and working session focused on discussing specific projects and finding suitable mechanisms so that the programs can be implemented effectively in Vietnam. Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo emphasized that to improve treatment outcomes for childhood cancer, it is necessary to simultaneously focus on good data management, rapid and accurate diagnosis, and enhancing access to adequate treatment medicines. This is also the overarching orientation in the programs St. Jude is promoting in Vietnam.
Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo affirmed that St. Jude will accompany childhood cancer programs in Vietnam.
Based on the shared orientation, both sides focused their discussions on the following contents: the Next-generation gene sequencing project; establishing the position of Data Management Officer, and the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. At the same time, the two sides discussed reception and coordination mechanisms that comply with Vietnamese regulations regarding this group of personnel, aiming to find solutions to implement the projects while ensuring strict compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health and Vietnamese law. Regarding the global platform for access to childhood cancer medicines, St. Jude plans to roll out the program in Vietnam on a nationwide scale, aiming to increase access to essential medicines for children with cancer.
Dr. Phan Huu Phuc, MD, PhD – Vice Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, discussed in detail with St. Jude representatives regarding the cooperation program.
Besides specific projects, expanding the network to multiple hospitals nationwide is a direction of particular interest to both sides. In which, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital will continue to play a leading role in cooperation activities in Vietnam, connecting more domestic children’s hospitals with St. Jude Global Alliance, helping members access resources from St. Jude and connect with over 450 medical organizations globally, thereby expanding opportunities to access knowledge, experts, and technology in this field.
Prof. Tran Minh Dien congratulated Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo on winning the Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award at the 19th Asia Pacific Congress of Pediatrics.
Representatives of both sides took a commemorative photo, marking another step forward in the collaborative journey for children with cancer.
The working session was highly effective, contributing to a clearer definition of the direction for implementing projects in the coming time. From the foundation of a multi-year cooperative relationship, the two sides are aiming toward systematic programs that contribute to enhancing pediatric cancer treatment capacity at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, while simultaneously expanding benefits to many domestic hospitals, with the common goal of bringing better treatment opportunities to children with cancer in Vietnam.
