Saigon Co.op funds surgery for kids with cleft palate, lips
The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology and the Seoul Medical Service Foundation on August 5 signed a memorandum of understanding to fund free medical operations on children born with cleft lips and palates.
The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives, the HCM City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology and the Seoul Medical Service Foundation join hands to bring bright smiles to children born with cleft lips and palates (Source: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) - The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (SaigonCo.op), the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology and the SeoulMedical Service Foundation on August 5 signed a memorandum of understanding tofund free medical operations on children born with cleft lips and palates.
Nguyen DucMinh, director of the HCM City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, said the 2019 “VietnamBright Smile” programme screened and chose 60 children for the free surgery.
FromAugust 5-9, Korean doctors will perform medical operations on around half of thechildren, while doctors at the HCM City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology willperform on the rest later, he said.
SaigonCo.op will fund the surgery costs of around 200 USD each, and the hospital willtake care of medical checks, tests and hospital costs, he said.
NguyenAnh Duc, permanent deputy general director of Saigon Co.op, said in addition tothe surgery costs, Saigon Co.op would also subsidise the expenses of patientscoming from other cities and provinces.
“SaigonCo.op is proud to join hands with the HCM City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatologyand the Seoul Medical Service Foundation to help children with facialdeformities from underprivileged families to bring them bright smilesand confidence in life.”
This isone of a series of community activities to mark Saigon Co.op’s 30th anniversary,he said, adding that the retailer would mobilise donations from staff andcustomers to continue this charitable activity.
The freesurgery programme was initiated by the hospital in 1994.-VNA
The Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) opened more than 160 retail stores in 2018 amidst fierce competition with both domestic and foreign rivals in the Vietnamese retail market.
More than 600 nationwide supermarkets and convenience stores of the Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) have taken the leap to remove all plastic straws from their shelves this month.
The Saigon Union of Trading Co-operatives (Saigon Co.op) will buy 500-700 tonnes of thieu lychees, a unique fruit grown in the northern province of Bac Giang’s Luc Ngan District, this year, 25 percent more than in 2018.
The Saigon Union of Trading Co-operatives (Saigon Co.op) will take over 18 stores and entire e-commerce retail system of France’s Auchan Retail in Vietnam under a merger and acquisition deal reached between two sides on late June 27.
Vietnam now boasts a nationwide healthcare network with 1,665 hospitals, 384 of which are non-public, supported by local commune- and ward-level stations. At the end of 2024, hospital bed capacity reached 34 per 10,000 people, slightly above the global average.
The 56-year-old patient from Quang Tri province was discharged in stable condition as he no longer experienced shortness of breath and was able to walk, move around, and eat normally.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
TytoCare, a leading Israeli telemedicine company based in Netanya, is willing to work with Vietnamese regulators, insurers, and healthcare providers to develop a sustainable digital health ecosystem.
The partnership is under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding on the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, signed in Hanoi on July 22.
An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
In 2024, Vietnam achieved 99% coverage for the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, up from 80% in 2023. Immunisation coverage in the country has not only rebounded to the high levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic but has now surpassed the rates recorded in 2019.
Health authorities in HCM City have issued an urgent alert after six people died from dengue fever, amid a spike in infections driven by the onset of the rainy season.
During the peak months of July and August 2025, the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) needs at least 90,000 units of blood to supply 180 hospitals in the northern region. However, despite continuous efforts, the reserve blood is still short of 30,000 units.
The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
Currently, cardiovascular specialists from the 108 Military Central Hospital are working alongside a team of Prof.Dr. Jan D. Schmitto, Deputy Director of MHH’s Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery on clinical trials for MCS devices, implanted in heart failure patients either as a bridge to transplantation or as permanent treatment.
The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
Not only does Vietnam attract international tourists with its landscapes, culture, and cuisine, but it is also gradually becoming a reliable destination for medical treatment, offering high-quality services at reasonable costs.
Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.