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Enhancing Vietnamese Doctors' Skills in early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer

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In Vietnam, stomach and colon cancers are among the top five most prevalent cancers. To address this, Olympus Medical Systems Vietnam Co., Ltd. (OVN), in collaboration with the Vietnamese Endoscopy Society and leading teaching hospitals, has prioritized educational activities to enhance the skills and numbers of endoscopists. This initiative involves working closely with healthcare societies and teaching hospitals in both Vietnam and Japan. “As the President of the Vietnamese Federation for Digestive Endoscopy (VFDE) and the Head of the Endoscopy Department at Cho Ray Hospital, I am dedicated to enhancing the early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, not only at Cho Ray Hospital but also across hospitals nationwide.” – said Dr. Ho Dang Quy Dung.

What is the TTT program that passes on endoscopic technology?

One of the notable initiatives is the "Train the Trainer" (TTT) program, successfully implemented at two leading institutes in Vietnam: Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi.
This program involves Japanese doctors teaching Vietnamese doctors how to screen patients eligible for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) and then training them in ESD techniques.
These trained doctors then become local trainers, passing on medical knowledge and techniques to future generations, ensuring a lasting impact on Vietnam's healthcare system.

Doctor’s experiences and outcomes of Cho Ray Hospital

For Dr. Hoang Tuan Vu at Cho Ray Hospital, a trainee of the TTT Program, the journey to mastering ESD techniques has been one of continuous self-improvement. "During hands on sessions with models, we had all the necessary tools and human resources to ensure comprehensive implementation. In October 2023, we successfully performed an ESD procedure on a patient," he shared.
He also emphasizes that early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers are crucial in reducing mortality rates, extending survival time, and enhancing the potential for curative interventions.

Dr. Dung notes a significant increase in the number of ESD cases at Cho Ray Hospital following the training program, with the annual caseload rising from 25 to 200 cases within a short period. The hospital aims to establish itself as a leading endoscopy training center, focusing on early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Their collaboration with the training center involves designing a program that meets the official approval of the Ministry of Health.

Doctor’s experiences and outcomes of Vietnam National Cancer Hospital

Dr. Tran Duc Canh at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, recounts his experience in Japan, where he initially thought he was there just to learn a technique. However, Japanese trainers guided him to quickly change his perspective. “They emphasized that the key to early cancer treatment is identifying early-stage lesions. Without detecting these early lesions, early cancer treatment is not possible.” – said Dr. Canh.
He realized that while he might be able to screen and treat a limited number of patients daily, the impact would be far greater if all endoscopists in Vietnam could perform early cancer screening and treatment. Currently, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital is working to disseminate the endoscopy technique nationwide and has launched nine local training courses on early cancer screening and treatment.

Trainees' experiences from local ESD training courses

Recognizing the clinical benefits of ESD techniques, Dr. Nguyen Duy Thach at Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Hospital, eagerly participated in a local ESD training course at Vietnam National Cancer Hospital. Under the meticulous hands-on training of Dr. Tran Duc Canh, Dr. Thach mastered these techniques. Driven by a commitment to patient care, Dr. Thach and his dedicated team swiftly implemented steps to benefit patients through early cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Sustained Collaboration for Enhanced Healthcare in Vietnam

Dr. Dung, as President of VFDE, has introduced and promoted the widespread adoption of ESD techniques among endoscopists nationwide through comprehensive training programs and scientific seminars.

“We look forward to sustaining our partnership with renowned medical manufacturers and continuing our collaboration on training initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare capabilities for patients in Vietnam,” he asserts.

※ This story is based on interviews conducted in June~August 2024. The conditions, feelings and treatment of each patient may vary from person to person. Please consult your doctor for your diagnosis and treatment.

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