During the trip, the Deputy Secretary visited several project sites to see US-Vietnam health collaboration in action.
She joint project of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NIHE on October 20th to enhance detection and response capacities corresponding to global health threats. The NIHE EOC will coordinate public health emergency response operations for the 28 Northern localities of Vietnam.
US Acting Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Mary Wakefield (Photo: US Embassy Hanoi)
While reiterating US commitment to health collaboration, Ms Wakefield also visited Hanoi Medical University (HMU) to speak with nursing students about the important role of health care practitioners in society. Here, Wakefield met with administrators and staff of HMU’s Faculty of Medical Technology to discuss ongoing collaboration in revising and updating undergraduate training curriculum and improving teaching methodologies for lecturers.
On October 21st, the US high-ranking official travelled to Thuong Tin district-based Ha Vy poultry market, where CDC’s 5-year cooperative agreement with the Department of Animal Health supports active surveillance for influenza in poultry in the country. This cooperation strengthens capacity in detection, preparedness and response to outbreaks from novel influenza viruses.
Highlighting the US global effort to combat HIV/AIDS, Ms Wakefield visited the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases (NHTD) which specializes in the examination, treatment, prevention and control of, and training, supervision and scientific research on infectious and emerging diseases.
With the establishment of the first HIV outpatient clinic in Vietnam, CDC-NHTD collaboration began in 2003 to provide HIV care and treatment services for adult outpatients, and since 2005 the provision of anti-retroviral treatment funded by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR and CDC also provide technical assistance to NHTD in implementing an e-mentoring program for HIV care and treatment clinicians nationwide.
Besides, the US Acting Deputy Secretary landed the Long Bien Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinic which was established in 2010 as one of the first methadone clinics in Hanoi as a result of PEPFAR assistance.
Methadone medication and technical assistance have been provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services through PEPFAR, CDC, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Clinic is part of the Long Bien district Health Center, a component of the Vietnam preventive medicine system responsible for primary health care needs./.