AstraZeneca Vietnam and Can Tho City are working together to improve health services and care

On November 14, 2023, AstraZeneca Vietnam and Can Tho City officials signed an agreement to work together on health projects to better the community’s health and create a lasting healthcare system.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Tran Viet Truong – Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of Can Tho City People’s Committee Mr. Nitin Kapoor – Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, representatives of Can Tho City People’s Committee, Can Tho Department of Health and AstreaZeneca Vietnam company.

The agreement outlines a five-years plan from 2023 to 2028, where Can Tho City and AstraZeneca Vietnam will focus on disease prevention, early detection, research, and building a lasting healthcare system.

In his address at the ceremony, Mr. Tran Viet Truong – Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City shared: “To pursue the objective of providing healthcare coverage for all citizens, which is an integral part of the government’s commitment to sustainable development, it is essential to bolster investment resources, improve capacity and operational effectiveness within Vietnam’s healthcare system, as well as the healthcare sector of Can Tho City. This will ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare services that meet the healthcare needs of the population residing within the city and the Mekong Delta region”.

The Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City further expressed that today’s signing of the MoU marked a significant milestone in establishing a trustworthy and collaborative partnership between the two parties. He commended AstraZeneca Vietnam for its valuable initiatives and efforts in benefiting the city, and expressed confidence that, following the signing of the cooperation agreement, the city authorities and AstraZeneca Vietnam would diligently implement the agreed-upon provisions, aligning with the outlined objectives.

Mr. Nitin Kapoor, Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam said: “Following our earlier agreement with the Health Ministry, I’m thrilled to see our partnership with Can Tho City flourish today. We are wholeheartedly dedicated to supporting Can Tho City’s efforts to look after its residents’ health. Together, we will work to improve the skills of healthcare workers, aiding the growth and global engagement of Can Tho’s healthcare sector and the broader Mekong Delta area.”

Joining hands to improve community health and develop a sustainable health system.

AstraZeneca and Can Tho City are collaborating to enhance community health and establish a resilient healthcare system. This partnership focuses on educating the public about diseases and boosting healthcare quality in various areas including cancer, respiratory, cardio-renal-metabolic, immunology, and rare diseases. Notable joint efforts will include:

  • The “Healthy Lung” program (2024-2026) to better diagnose and treat respiratory conditions and lung cancer.
  • The “CAREME – Love Yourself” program to support cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health.
  • The “MUPS Academy(1)” program to improve gastrointestinal disease management.
  • A joint initiative with Can Tho Oncology Hospital for cancer care.

These programs, along with efforts to increase healthcare access and sustainable practices, aim to benefit not only Can Tho City but the broader Mekong Delta region. The collaboration underscores AstraZeneca’s commitment to public-private partnerships for enhancing Vietnam’s healthcare.

On this special occasion, AstraZeneca and Can Tho City Oncology Hospital have formalised their partnership through a Memorandum of Cooperation, reinforcing their joint medical ventures in Can Tho City.

The purpose of this agreement is to fast-track the hospital’s research capabilities and global outreach, thereby improving the standard of care for patients in the Cuu Long river delta. The collaboration will unfold through a series of initiatives aimed at:

  • Integrating Can Tho City Oncology Hospital into collaborative programs and exchanging professional knowledge to advance the expertise of its medical team.
  • Enhancing patient services to broaden access to cutting-edge treatments.
  • Pursuing long-term joint development efforts, particularly in conducting cancer research.

Dr. Vo Van Kha, Director of City Oncology Hospital. Can Tho commented: “With the objective of becoming a leading cancer hospital in the field of Cuu Long river delta region, we highly appreciate the collaboration of AstraZeneca, the leading biopharmaceutical company and hope that in the future, both parties will engage in more extensive and profound activities. Together, I believe that this collaboration, under the spirit of “accompanying in alleviating cancer,” will yield practical and long-lasting benefits for patients while contributing to the overall development of the field of cancer and the healthcare sector in Vietnam.”

AstraZeneca is a leading global, science-led biopharmaceutical company renowned for its expertise in researching, developing, and delivering innovative treatments in oncology, rare diseases, and other biopharmaceutical areas. Throughout its history, AstraZeneca has shown a strong commitment to the Vietnamese healthcare sector, emphasising cancer diagnosis, and improving the quality of cancer treatments. This commitment has played a significant role in mitigating the impact of cancer in Vietnam, as well as across Asia and worldwide.

AstraZeneca Vietnam’s unwavering efforts to advance Vietnam’s healthcare have been recognized with the Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Health on three occasions: for outstanding work in cancer treatment in 2019, for significant contributions to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and for achievements in communication campaigns, breast cancer screening, and support for cancer patients in 2022. Additionally, the Prime Minister awarded AstraZeneca Vietnam a Certificate of Merit for its exceptional contribution to Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy in 2022.

Press release distributed by EloQ Communications