On May 26, the Vietnam Pediatrics Association (VPA) and US drug company Pfizer (Vietnam) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving healthcare quality for children. Through this partnership, the two organisations are working together to strengthen paediatric healthcare workers’ capacity, by imparting knowledge and training on how to safely and effectively use antibiotics.
Every year, an estimated 33,000 children aged under five in Vietnam die due to preventable diseases. Closer inspection from World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that pneumonia is the single leading cause of death among these children. In view of this dire situation, and in light of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, VPA President Trần Minh Điển emphasised the need to identify and address infectious diseases and epidemics, and to invest in the development of the healthcare system for children.
By working closely together with other organisations and bodies, the VPA seeks to equip paediatric doctors and nurses with the right set of knowledge and skills to deliver better healthcare for children in the country. Pfizer, in turn, expressed its commitment to contributing to this collaboration, especially in areas such as infection, oncology, rare diseases, immunology and inflammation, internal medicine, cardiology, and vaccines.
Pfizer is a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare giant that develops and produces life-saving and life-enhancing remedies. It has an expansive portfolio of products in areas such as cardiovascular health, diabetes, oncology and hospital acute care, to name a few. On its commitment to developing better healthcare systems for children, its General Director in Vietnam, Mr Darrell Oh, stated that the safe and effective use of antibiotics is key to improving paediatric healthcare.
The VPA and Pfizer Vietnam’s MoU enables a great opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of many children. Through the combined effort, knowledge, and resources of both organisations, the goal of improving healthcare quality for vulnerable children is certainly achievable.
