On the afternoon of November 2, 2026, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital held a Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation to continue implementing and developing the “Thien Nhan and Friends – Genital Reconstruction Surgery for Children” Program. The event marks a new development step in the cooperative relationship between the two sides, opening up opportunities to enhance coordination in patient care, training, and scientific research, especially in the treatment of pediatric genitourinary diseases.
AIP Foundation delegates, international medical experts, and leaders and staff of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital attend the signing ceremony.
Continuing the journey of cooperation for more than 15 years for children with genitourinary defects
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Tran Minh Dien – Director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital respectfully thanked the AIP Foundation, Dr. Roberto De Castro, and international experts who have accompanied the Hospital since 2010, supporting free medical examination, treatment, and reconstructive surgery for children with complex genitourinary defects, especially those in difficult circumstances. The cooperation also creates opportunities for the Hospital’s doctors to learn experiences and professional techniques from international experts, contributing to improving treatment quality.
Professor. Tran Minh Dien speaks at the ceremony, respectfully thanking the AIP Foundation and international experts for accompanying and supporting the Hospital in medical examination, treatment, and sponsoring medical equipment.
Mr. Greig Floyd Craft – Chief Representative of the AIP Foundation Vietnam Office, stated that over the past 15 years, the program has not only brought international experts to Vietnam to support surgeries but also focused on transferring technology to domestic doctors. He highly appreciated the progress of Vietnamese healthcare through the process of learning, exchanging, and practicing with international experts, and expressed his desire for the cooperative relationship to be maintained and developed in the coming time.
Mr. Greig Floyd Craft shares about the process of cooperation and technology transfer for doctors in Vietnam.
Ms. Tran Mai Anh – founder of the “Thien Nhan and Friends Program” – emotionally recalled the early days when the program was implemented at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. From understanding the difficulties of families with sick children, she and her colleagues have gained more enduring motivation to accompany and support pediatric patients.
Dr. Roberto De Castro – Pediatric Urologist; former Head of Pediatric Surgery, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy – shared that 2026 marks his 20th surgical mission in Vietnam in the journey of cooperation over the past 15 years. He expressed his joy in continuing to accompany Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and affirmed his desire to restart the program with new energy, stronger friendship, and increasingly effective cooperative activities.
Dr. Roberto De Castro shares about the journey of cooperation for more than 15 years and his 20th surgical mission in Vietnam in 2026.
Three key areas in the Memorandum of Understanding
According to the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides agreed to cooperate in 3 key areas, including:
- Enhancing professional capacity for doctors and medical staff in the care and treatment of pediatric genitourinary diseases.
- Coordinating the implementation of scientific research activities.
- Supporting treatment costs at the hospital and travel expenses for patients in difficult circumstances suffering from genitourinary diseases.
Representatives of the leadership of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and AIP Foundation perform the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding.
More than 400 pediatric patients examined and consulted; 109 children received free surgery
Since 2010, Vietnam National Children’s Hospital has cooperated with the AIP Foundation, Dr. Roberto De Castro, and international experts to implement the “Thien Nhan and Friends” Project, supporting free medical examination, treatment, and reconstructive genital surgery for children with complex congenital defects or injuries caused by accidents, especially cases in difficult circumstances.
After more than 15 years, the program has examined and consulted more than 400 pediatric patients and performed free surgeries for 109 children with complex genitourinary defects, such as bladder exstrophy, urethral defects, and congenital genital abnormalities. Not only providing treatment opportunities for children, the program also contributes to technology transfer, improving the professional capacity of the Hospital’s doctors, and supporting medical equipment for surgery, diagnosis, and treatment.
Also within the framework of the program, on the morning of November 2, 2026, experts from the AIP Foundation and doctors from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital provided free medical examinations and consultations for children with genitourinary defects. The pediatric patients were directly evaluated for their medical conditions and advised on appropriate treatment plans, helping families gain more information and suitable directions in caring for their children’s health.
International experts and doctors from Vietnam National Children’s Hospital examine and consult children with genitourinary defects within the framework of the program.
The cooperative activities between Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and the AIP Foundation hold profound humanitarian significance. It not only helps children with complex defects have the opportunity to be treated, improve their quality of life, and integrate into the community but also contributes to promoting technology transfer, enhancing professional capacity, and strengthening international cooperation in the field of child healthcare.
Some photos at the program:
