University News Last updated 18 March
More than 100 million people in Vietnam will benefit from life-saving emergency pre-hospital care thanks to the expertise of 探花直播 (BCU).
The UK institution is working with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and a number of university partners in Vietnam to establish the country鈥檚 first national emergency response service.
鈥淭his is groundbreaking,鈥� said BCU鈥檚 Professor Joy Notter, who has worked in Vietnam for many years and holds a campaign medal for services to health from the Vietnamese government.
鈥淏CU has an opportunity to help Vietnam establish its new professional service for a whole nation. It鈥檚 a privilege to be invited to join our Vietnamese colleagues.鈥�
Using its 20 years of experience in paramedic training, BCU will work with Vietnam National University - University of Medicine and Pharmacy (VNU-UMP) to develop a curriculum for its staff and students.
鈥淲e urgently need a paramedic system like the UK 鈥� and BCU is well known for paramedic training,鈥� said Dr Nguyen Thanh, Deputy Head of the Department of Paramedics at VNU-UMP.
鈥淲e want to develop a curriculum and simulation centre for medical and paramedic training. We can find the answer at this university.鈥�
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has acknowledged that up to 81% of casualties in Vietnam currently have no access to emergency medical services.
In Hanoi, there are just 15 ambulances and a handful of specialists to support the 10 million people living in the capital city.
According to BCU鈥檚 Associate Professor Chris Carter, the delays in treatment in Vietnam and the harm caused to casualties during their transfer to hospital often result in poorer outcomes.
鈥淰ietnam has a high incidence of trauma, particularly head injuries,鈥� said Professor Carter.
鈥淏y improving pre-hospital care, we can give these people a better chance of survival and reduce morbidity and mortality through improved outcomes.鈥�
To provide insight into BCU鈥檚 expertise and training, Professors Carter and Notter hosted a recent study tour for VNU-UMP partners.
鈥淭he purpose of the visit was to find out what Vietnam needs,鈥� said Professor Carter. 鈥淲e鈥檙e exposing them to the UK healthcare system, to gain an understanding not only of the curriculum, but also how it would fit into the wider emergency response service.鈥�
The VNU delegation also visited West Midlands and East of England ambulance services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, and Colchester and Ipswich hospitals.
Supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences through the International Science Partnerships Fund and with the backing of the Vietnam Association of Critical Medicine, Emergency and Clinical Toxicology, the project builds on two decades of close collaboration with BCU.
Professor Nguyen Gia Binh, President of the Vietnam Association of Critical Care Medicine, Emergency and Clinical Toxicology, added: 鈥淚 have always recognised the need for pre-hospital services, and we are delighted that this project will help us start the new service.鈥�
Professor Le Ngoc Thanh, Rector of VNU-UMP and the project鈥檚 Co-Principal Investigator, said: 鈥淚 am delighted with this partnership with 探花直播, and we look forward to a very successful project.鈥�