The partnership between the Paediatric Surgery Foundation and the Children’s Hospital 1, Ho Chi Minh City, which has been in place since 2016, aims to bring about improved care for children with bowel diseases in Viet Nam.
Background:
The infant mortality rate in Viet Nam is 20 deaths per 1,000 births. However, only rudimentary infrastructures for paediatric surgical care are available. The medical approach to treating children with congenital bowel abnormalities is particularly relevant as these are associated with a high level of morbidity, and providing a targeted diagnosis and choosing the correct surgical procedure are essential in preventing complications. A standardised diagnosis, treatment and aftercare plan does not currently exist.
Activities:
- Working together to prepare guidelines on structuring the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of children with a variety of bowel abnormalities
- Regular training sessions for hospital staff on the treatment of bowel abnormalities
- Performing teaching operations and making instructional videos
Impact:
The quality of care for patients with congenital bowel abnormalities in the greater Ho Chi Minh City area will be improved through jointly formulated guidelines for action and their standardised implementation in everyday clinical practice. The trained colleagues on the ground serve as multipliers with the aim of carrying through the results of the project in the long term.