From October 1 to October 6, 2024, the delegation of Kobe University Hospital visited the General Surgery Center at Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. Their visit aimed to discuss complex medical cases and promote educational exchanges between experts and medical staff. On the afternoon of October 4, the hospital held a closing ceremony to summarize the cooperation program between the two sides.
From Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, it consisted of Assoc. Prof. Tran Minh Dien – the hospital’s Director; Assoc. Prof. Pham Duy Hien – Deputy Director; the leadership of the General Surgery Center, the International Cooperation Department, and other hospital staffs.
From Kobe University Hospital, the delegation included Prof. Yuko Bitoh – Head of Pediatric Surgery; Assoc. Prof. Yuichi Okata – Deputy Head of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Yuki Takanarita – Department of Pediatric Surgery and members from the Kobe East Rotary Club.
Kobe University Hospital, originally established as Kobe Hospital in 1869, is a leading medical center offering top-tier clinical care. Located in the Kansai region, it serves as a core medical institution and a prominent educational center. Over the years, the hospital has grown into one of the leading research and clinical care centers in Japan and globally.
Vietnam National Children’s Hospital and Kobe University Hospital have maintained a strong partnership over the years. In June 2024, the two hospitals, along with Takatsuki Hospital, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate in education, research, and professional exchange. The partnership aims to foster an efficient learning and research environment, enhancing practices in pediatric surgery.
Following the MOU, from October 1-6, 2024, Kobe University Hospital’s expert team worked at the General Surgery Center to discuss complex cases and share knowledge.
During the closing ceremony, both sides reviewed the outcomes of the program and discussed future training plans. Kobe University Hospital also assigned two doctors to train at the General Surgery Center from October 1 to November 5, 2024: Dr. Takarita expressed interest in observing thoracoscopic surgery for esophageal atresia repair and the removal of thoracoabdominal tumors; and Dr. Yasuyuki Kameoka will train for one month, focusing on basic pediatric surgical skills, including open thoracic and abdominal surgeries, hernia repair, intussusception treatment, and bowel anastomosis.
Kobe University Hospital invited Assoc. Prof. Pham Duy Hien and Dr. Nguyen Cong Son from the General Surgery Center to visit Japan in November 2024 for professional exchange and observation at Kobe University Hospital’s Department of Pediatric Surgery.
On behalf of the hospital’s leadership, Assoc. Prof. Tran Minh Dien expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Kobe University delegation for their continued support. He also introduced the hospital’s key functions, its skilled workforce, and achievements in medical treatment, education, and scientific research. Dr. Dien emphasized his hopes for further strengthening the collaboration, enabling the hospital to develop specialized areas and improve the quality of pediatric care.
Vietnam National Children’s Hospital plays a leading role in pediatric healthcare under the Ministry of Health. Collaborating with Kobe University Hospital and other international institutions offers valuable opportunities for its doctors to learn and enhance pediatric care for Vietnamese children.
