Optimising the healthcare sector in Vietnam

The Quang Binh TTH General Hospital in Dong Hoi City in Vietnam has been striving to provide accessible and high-quality healthcare to the local community. With five privately owned branches operating across the country the hospital invests heavily in staff and public relations. The management of TTH is also seeking ways to streamline operations and improve patient outcomes.

The hospital was connected to PUM expert Marijke van Heeswijk, who’s initial project focused on obstetrics and pediatric care. The goal was to collaborate with the hospital staff and provide hands-on training and expert guidance, thereby improving healthcare delivery in a way that directly benefits the community.

Maternity care training
During the project, nearly all obstetricians, midwives, and nurses received training in neonatal life support, pain management during labor, nutritional care during pregnancy, and immediate postnatal practices like skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding. These practical sessions were reinforced through real-time observation and evaluation of daily routines, ensuring that the knowledge gained could be directly applied in the delivery room.

The collaboration also revealed areas for broader improvement. Marijke noted the unusually high caesarean section rate – above 50% – significantly higher than the 10 -15% recommended by the WHO. While local doctors cited patient preference and national norms as reasons, the project highlighted the need for more transparent patient education and less invasive delivery options.

Future collaboration
Outside of obstetrics, the project laid the groundwork for future collaboration in other departments, including rehabilitation, hospital operations, and cancer aftercare. The hospital has expressed interest in receiving further guidance on rehabilitation for stroke, pediatric developmental delays, and trauma recovery. Additionally, there’s a clear need for improved logistics, cost management, and digitalisation – particularly with the hospital’s plan to transition to electronic patient records in 2025.

Challenges
Despite communication challenges, the project achieved strong engagement from the hospital staff and even included a public session to educate expecting parents. Moving forward, PUM and the hospital will prioritise which areas to address next, with plans underway for follow-up projects on rehabilitation and operational efficiency. Marijke adds: “By working alongside the local teams, we’re not just transferring knowledge, we’re building sustainable improvements in care that last well beyond the visit.”

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to raising healthcare standards in Vietnam by empowering local professionals with global expertise. Through collaboration and targeted support, the hospital is not only improving its services but also making quality healthcare more accessible to the local communities in surrounding areas.