The delegation included Dr. Melissa Lopez Varon, Director of the Global Oncology Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas (USA); Mr. Clay Richards, Senior Manager for Strategic Initiatives; Ms. Elyse Barnes, Senior Project Manager at the ECHO Institute, University of New Mexico (USA); Mr. Tarun Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of ECHO India; and representatives from ECHO teams across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Representing Bach Mai Hospital were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Giap, Vice Director of the hospital; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology; Dr. Hoang Viet Anh, Deputy Director of the Center for Healthcare Quality Management; along with representatives from the Institute of Training and Research in Medicine and Pharmacy, the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center, and the Hospital Office.

 
The ECHO Model: From Knowledge Sharing to Capacity Building
As one of the pioneering institutions in Vietnam implementing the iECHO model, Bach Mai Hospital has achieved significant results just one year after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the ECHO Institute (USA) in 2024.

To date, the hospital has organized six training programs, delivering 188 learning sessions and 448 hours of instruction, attracting 7,494 total participants, including 1,684 unique learners and 2,930 official registrations.

Notably, in 2025 alone, the number of learners increased by 455% compared to the previous year, reflecting the strong appeal and effectiveness of this training model.

Independent surveys have shown encouraging outcomes:

89% of participants applied the knowledge gained to clinical practice
85% regularly updated their professional expertise
71% reported greater confidence in applying new techniques
79% observed clear improvements in patient treatment outcomes
In addition, the ECHO model has helped reduce diagnostic time by 28% and increase early detection of complex diseases by 35% at primary healthcare facilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of the case-based learning approach.

 
From Training Hub to Regional Superhub
Speaking at the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Giap emphasized that the development of the ECHO model is a key strategic priority in the modernization of medical training at Bach Mai Hospital.

“We deeply resonate with the story of Professor Sanjeev Arora, the founder of Project ECHO, who was inspired by the challenge of patients unable to access hospital care. In Vietnam, the situation can be even more difficult, especially for people living in remote areas. Therefore, ECHO is not only a training model but also a humanitarian mission — bringing knowledge to where it is needed most.”
Currently, Bach Mai Hospital has implemented ECHO programs across multiple specialties, including respiratory medicine, cardiology, nephrology and urology, infectious diseases, oncology, intensive care, and mental health, with plans to expand into medical imaging, surgical emergency care, and community medicine.

During the meeting, the hospital also introduced its five-pillar strategy for developing an ECHO Superhub:

Standardizing operational models and implementation procedures
Establishing a hub-and-spoke network of training centers
Diversifying training content and learning formats
Applying digital technology, iECHO data systems, and artificial intelligence (AI)
Conducting impact evaluation and continuous improvement
By 2030, Bach Mai Hospital aims to reach 20,000 regular learners annually on the iECHO platform, establish five regional satellite centers, and develop 20 internationally standardized training programs, positioning Vietnam as a key contributor within the global ECHO network.

International Cooperation and Digital Transformation
International delegates expressed strong appreciation for Bach Mai Hospital’s strategic vision and large-scale implementation of the ECHO model.

Dr. Melissa Lopez Varon confirmed her willingness to collaborate in establishing an ECHO Oncology Center at Bach Mai Hospital.

Mr. Clay Richards from the ECHO Institute (USA) noted that Bach Mai Hospital possesses the necessary capacity to become a regional hub for Southeast Asia within the global ECHO network.

Representatives from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in training, research, data sharing, and human resource development.

During the meeting, Mr. Tarun Kumar, CEO of ECHO India, introduced two key technological directions for the global ECHO network:

Conversational AI, which can automatically capture and summarize training content
Generative AI, which analyzes global data to suggest personalized learning content
On the Vietnamese side, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Giap shared Bach Mai Hospital’s strategy for integrating artificial intelligence in healthcare, highlighting proprietary AI software used in medical imaging and early lung cancer detection.

He also emphasized the hospital’s plan to standardize and share medical data to support multinational AI training models. The upcoming operation of Bach Mai Hospital’s second campus with 1,000 beds will create a large-scale medical big data platform, further accelerating digital transformation in healthcare.

“Moving Knowledge, Not People”
The guiding principle of Project ECHO — “Moving knowledge, not people” — aligns closely with Bach Mai Hospital’s mission to deliver high-quality medical knowledge and expertise to healthcare providers across all levels, ensuring that patients can access quality healthcare services within their local communities.

With the support of international partners, Bach Mai Hospital is steadily advancing toward its goal of becoming a regional ECHO Superhub in Southeast Asia, marking an important milestone in improving healthcare quality, promoting community health, and strengthening global medical integration.