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More than 100 nephrology professionals from Singapore and Vietnam gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on 6 July 2024 for a workshop on improving care for patients with kidney diseases. The participants exchanged theory as well as practical tips at the event.

It kicked off the Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) Training Healthcare Professionals to Advance Nephrology Care (THAN). This is a collaborative effort between the SIF, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) in Singapore, and Cho Ray Hospital (CRH) in Vietnam.

The workshop, held at CRH, was the first in a three-and-a-half-year initiative to enhance nephrology care in Vietnam. Singapore International Volunteers (SIVs), comprising doctors and nurses from TTSH’s Department of Renal Medicine, will work with more than 250 Vietnamese healthcare professionals from CRH and other hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to exchange knowledge, skills and experience. The initiative is expected to benefit almost 12,000 Vietnamese in need of such care.

SIVs Chan Siew Mei, Senior Nursing Manager, and Lee Feei Shyan, Nurse Clinician from TTSH (in orange), guiding the Vietnamese nurses on proper hand hygiene and catheter site care.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the interactive sessions led by SIVs. The SIVs demonstrated essential techniques in hand hygiene and catheter site care. The sessions also provided participants with hands-on experience. The participants asked questions and practised the techniques under the guidance of the SIVs.

The SIVs (in orange) at the workshop with programme participants and representatives from SIF and Cho Ray Hospital.

THAN aims to build clinical competence among the participants, focusing on three main areas:

1. Clinical Skills Building and Practices: Equipping participants with knowledge and skills in peritoneal dialysis and the diagnosis and treatment of glomerular nephritis, which are critical for managing patients with end-stage kidney failure.
2. Diagnostics: Case discussions on early recognition, interpretation, and management of infections and complicated cases, to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped to handle a wide range of nephrology-related challenges.
3. Quality Improvement Systems: Evaluate and refine existing protocols and systems to deliver high-quality care and encourage participants to implement these improvements.

A cornerstone of THAN is the Training-of-Trainers approach. During the programme, 10 Vietnamese nephrologists and nurses will be identified as potential trainers. They will undergo further training to become Master Trainers, who will then pass their knowledge on to their local counterparts. This approach ensures the sustainability of the training’s impact, creating a self-sufficient network of skilled nephrology professionals in Vietnam.

Dr Yeo See Cheng, SIV Team Lead and Head and Senior Consultant at TTSH, said: "I am excited for the opportunity to work together with my Vietnamese healthcare counterparts. This initiative is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about a mutual exchange of experiences and learning from each other."

He added: “I look forward to sharing best practices in nephrology care while also gaining valuable insights from the unique challenges and solutions that our colleagues in Vietnam face. Together, we can create a robust network of skilled professionals dedicated to improving patient care and outcomes in both our countries."

Dr Dao Bui Quy Quyen, Head of Nephrology Department at Cho Ray Hospital said: "We are thrilled to embark on this initiative with SIF and TTSH. This represents a significant development in our mission to enhance nephrology care in Vietnam and establish Cho Ray Hospital as a centre of excellence in nephrology care. Through this, we can deliver holistic and high-quality care to our patients, ultimately improving their health outcomes and quality of life."