Chan Siew Mie (left), a senior nurse manager from Singaporean Tan Tock Seng Hospital, demonstrates a permanent catheter dressing to Vietnamese master trainers during a clinical training workshop. (Photo courtesy of Singapore International Foundation)The five-year project was a collaboration between Hanoi Medical University(HMU), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Singapore International Foundation(SIF).
During the project, a team of Singapore International Volunteers (SIV),comprising doctors, and nurse specialists from the TTSH’s Department of RenalMedicine, worked with their counterparts from HMU, as well as Bach Mai and VietDuc hospitals and other dialysis centres in Hanoi.
The SIVs trained close to 260 Vietnamese practitioners. Among them, 12 werethen picked to become master trainers, who were taught advanced skill sets withwhich they trained other healthcare workers.
In addition to enhancing the training of Vietnamese caregivers on safepractices, the project also taught them about the current standards of renalcare through a series of interactive components for knowledge exchanges.
Activities included workshops on clinical training, discussions on leadershipengagement, developing haemodialysis guidelines, a study visit to Singapore anda symposium among healthcare professionals.
At the project's closing ceremony on Sunday, Dr Ha Phan Hai An from HMU said:“We are pleased to have worked with the SIF and TTSH on this meaningfulproject. We are grateful for the warm support from the SIVs, who have workedtirelessly to impart knowledge to Vietnamese trainees over the years. We arecertain that our communities' friendships and spirit of cooperation willcontinue for many years to come.”
Dr Yeo See Cheng, TTSH's head of department and senior consultant, said: “TheHaemodialysis Care Project is a five-year collaboration that has enabled ourhealthcare professionals from Singapore and Vietnam to engage in meaningfulco-learning and exchanges.
“Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, both sides forged ahead with virtualtraining and overcame challenges.
“It has been a rewarding journey for the TTSH’s Renal Medicine team, and we aregrateful to the SIF and HMU for this opportunity to raise haemodialysis careand support vulnerable communities,” he added.
Jean Tan, the SIF's Executive Director, said: “The SIF is proud of itsfive-year healthcare collaboration with Hanoi Medical University and Tan TockSeng Hospital.
“Together, we have achieved significant social impact outcomes, including providingbetter haemodialysis care to renal patients in northern Vietnam.
“Singapore and Vietnam have enjoyed 50 years of bilateral cooperation. The SIFis pleased to steward meaningful initiatives that further strengthen ties atthe people-to-people level and contribute to positive social changes. We lookforward to more such impactful projects with Vietnam in building a betterworld.”/.
VNA
