VinaCapital Foundation Sponsors International Advanced Pediatric Life Support Trainer’s Training for 72 Vietnamese Doctors

The VinaCapital Foundation organizes the Advanced Pediatric Life Supports (APLS) training program from March 4th to 14th of 2019 at Pediatric Hospitals 1 and 2 in Ho Chi Minh City. A group of 24 Vietnamese candidates will be coached by 9 Australian APLS medical experts and lecturers from National Children’s Hospital who are donating their time to spread this valuable knowledge. The Vietnamese doctors will officially become certified APLS trainers in Vietnam. Those trained will then teach 48 doctors from middle and southern provinces to become Vietnam APLS, qualified specialists. The courses open today with keynote addresses by Dr. Le Thanh Hai, Director of the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital- the leader in APLS implementation in Vietnam and VinaCapital Foundation partner- and Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Director of Children’s Hospital 1.

Dr. Le Thanh Hai, Director of the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Director of Children’s Hospital 1 delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Program Manager of Critical Response and Survive to Thrive program, The VinaCapital Foundation shared at the Opening Ceremony

Mr. David Thomas, Representative of the Australian APLS Experts Team shared at the Opening Ceremony

Since its inception in the 1980s by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians, APLS has been kept up to date by world-leading pediatricians. Today in 20 countries APLS is mandatory for pediatricians for its great advantages in codifying knowledge and techniques in emergency treatment for children. Procedures simulation and interactive sessions are a primary focus during training to maximize the course’s impact. The course covers various themes including basic and advanced support of the airway and ventilation, cardiac arrest management and defibrillation, diagnosis, and management of a seriously ill child (with breathing difficulties, shock, abnormal pulse rate, and rhythm, decreased conscious level) and team management of treatment for seriously injured children (with wounds on the chest, head, spine, abdomen, burns, scalds and injuries by electricity or drowning).

Since 2009 APLS training has been one of 2 critical components in VCF’s Critical Response program designed to ensure substantial sustainable reductions in child mortality across the country. The APLS program, administered by the UK charity, Advanced Life Support Group (ALSG), aims to reduce under 5 mortalities in Vietnam by assisting doctors and nurses with updated emergency medical techniques. VCF then adds the critical care equipment necessary to employ the new knowledge that results in many lives saved. The Vietnam Ministry of Health and the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital in Hanoi partner with VCF to develop APLS training and VCF’s Critical Response program nationwide. More internationally certified trainers will enable the partnership to train more doctors and nurses in APLS and thereby further reduce child mortality.

“From our 12 years of implementing healthcare improvement projects across the nation, I believe internationally-proven techniques like those taught in the APLS program can bring great impact to doctors and nurses in Vietnam,” said Don Lam, VCF Chairman. “They can provide the best treatment quality for children, especially underserved children in vulnerable rural communities where natural disasters and accidents are frequent. Our plan in the next 2 years is to bring the courses to more province and district hospitals in the central and southern regions in partnership with the Ministry of Health.”