Continuing the long-standing partnership between Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Kobe University Hospital (Japan), representatives of the two hospitals met with the Rotary Club (Japan) on September 17, 2026, to discuss the direction of cooperation in training and technical development, with a view toward gradually building a certification system for pediatric laparoscopic surgery techniques in Vietnam.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Yuko Bitoh, Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, along with experts from Kobe University Hospital, and representatives of the Rotary Club. On the side of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, attendees included Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Hospital Director, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Duy Hien, Vice Director, together with representatives of related departments.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien, Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Chairman of Vietnam Pediatric Association, extended his sincere thanks to Kobe University Hospital for its many years as a partner of the Hospital, and to the Rotary Club for its attention to children’s healthcare in Vietnam.
As the country’s leading specialized pediatric hospital, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital not only provides medical examination and treatment — including many severe and complex cases — but also carries out training, technology transfer, and professional support for numerous healthcare facilities nationwide. As such, developing human resources and standardizing advanced techniques remain top priorities for the Hospital.
Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien shared information on several advanced techniques currently being implemented at the Hospital, including liver transplantation, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, and various other complex surgical procedures. These are areas that open up further opportunities for expert exchange, training, and scientific research.
Building on the long-standing professional collaboration with Kobe University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Dien placed particular emphasis on the goal of gradually establishing a certification system for pediatric laparoscopic surgery techniques in Viet Nam, drawing on Japan’s experience. This is a long-term goal that requires careful preparation and close coordination among all parties.
Prof. Yuko Bitoh, Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Kobe University Hospital, expressed her wish to continue developing the cooperative relationship between the two institutions.
During the meeting, the three parties discussed the possibility of jointly developing a human resource training project, combined with appropriate equipment support for Vietnam National Children’s Hospital through the Rotary Global Grant program. The project is expected to be submitted to Rotary International (a global humanitarian service organization with numerous community support programs) for funding consideration. Notably, the specific areas of support will be determined based on actual needs and the specialized fields that Vietnam National Children’s Hospital prioritizes for development.
A representative of Kobe University Hospital presented the plan for developing the cooperative project.
Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Hang, Head of the International Cooperation Department at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, shared information about the Hospital’s professional activities and development direction.
Beyond the field of surgery, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital hopes to expand its training activities into many other specialties, creating opportunities for its physicians and nurses to study at Kobe University Hospital, while also welcoming Japanese experts to Viet Nam for direct exchange and professional collaboration.
At the close of the meeting, the parties agreed that Vietnam National Children’s Hospital would select 4 to 5 priority areas for further discussion and the development of appropriate project proposals, aiming toward practical and sustainable cooperation programs in children’s healthcare in Viet Nam.
