The Japanese delegation was led by Miura Satoshi, Planning Officer of the Health and Medical Strategy Office, while the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam was represented by Saito Masafumi, First Secretary.

On the Vietnamese side, the meeting was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, together with leaders from several departments and medical centers, including the Hospital Office, the General Planning Department, the Intensive Care Center, the Stroke Center, the Neurology Center, the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, the A9 Emergency Center, and the Gastrointestinal Surgery Center.

A Longstanding Partnership Built on Successful Cooperation
During the meeting, the Japanese delegation viewed a documentary highlighting the history of cooperation projects funded through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) at Bach Mai Hospital.

Over the past decades, Bach Mai Hospital has successfully implemented several major international cooperation initiatives supported by the Japanese government. Among them were the Bach Mai Hospital Upgrade Project (1998–2000) and the Project for Strengthening Bach Mai Hospital’s Capacity (2000–2005). These initiatives were followed by the Project for Enhancing Bach Mai Hospital’s Training Capacity for Provincial Hospitals (2006–2009) and the Project for Strengthening Human Resources in Vietnam’s Healthcare System (2010–2015), which was led by the Ministry of Health with Bach Mai Hospital serving as one of the key participating hospitals.

Although these projects have been completed, their impact continues to be felt today. Bach Mai Hospital has integrated the outcomes of these initiatives into its healthcare services while also extending their benefits to provincial hospitals and local healthcare facilities through training programs and the hospital’s nationwide medical support network.

Expanding Strategic Cooperation in Healthcare and Medical Education
During the discussion, Dr. Dao Xuan Co expressed his admiration for the professionalism, dedication, and attention to detail that characterize Japanese working culture. He noted that these values have become an important source of inspiration for Bach Mai Hospital’s medical staff as they continue to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Building on the strong relationship between Vietnam and Japan, Dr. Co proposed two key strategic directions for future cooperation.

First, he suggested that Japan could support Bach Mai Hospital in developing training programs for the planned Bach Mai University of Medicine and Pharmacy, particularly in nursing education based on Japanese healthcare standards.

Second, he proposed exploring the possibility of ODA loan support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build a modern multifunctional emergency center. The proposed facility would be designed and constructed by Japanese partners and operated according to Japan’s advanced healthcare models, enabling it to respond effectively to complex medical emergencies in the future.

Japan Recognizes Bach Mai Hospital as a Key Strategic Partner
Responding to these proposals, delegation leader Miura Satoshi expressed his appreciation for the hospital’s remarkable development and achievements.

He emphasized that Bach Mai Hospital is not only one of Vietnam’s leading tertiary hospitals but also an important strategic partner for Japan in the ASEAN region.

Miura also noted that following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese government has adopted a new Global Health Strategy, in which Vietnam has been identified as one of three key partner countries.

He acknowledged Bach Mai Hospital’s proposals and stated that the delegation would report them to the Japanese government in order to explore practical and effective forms of support. Miura expressed confidence that the strong foundation of cooperation between the two sides would help address shared healthcare challenges, including population aging and improving the quality of medical care for citizens.

Toward a Sustainable Healthcare Future
The meeting concluded in a warm and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the deep friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

Both sides agreed that strengthening collaboration would not only benefit Bach Mai Hospital and Vietnam’s healthcare system but also contribute to reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, paving the way for sustainable development and improved healthcare for future generations.