Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Volunteer surgical assistance for the youngest: We enable newborns and toddlers in Vietnam to undergo life-changing procedures.
More than 26 million children live in Vietnam – about a third of the population is under 18 years old. Despite noticeable progress, infant mortality remains at about 20 deaths per 1,000 live births. Especially outside the large urban centers, there is a lack of comprehensive pediatric surgical care. The medical infrastructure in many places is inadequately developed – with serious consequences for affected children and their families.
Since 2013, the Pediatric Surgery Foundation has been active in Vietnam to provide children with severe congenital malformations a better medical future. During our missions in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and Da Nang, it became clear that uncertainties exist, particularly in the indication for and the pre- and postoperative management of congenital colorectal malformations. A lack of standardized treatment procedures can lead to considerable complications in the long term – with distressing consequences for the affected children and their families.
The Pediatric Surgery Foundation therefore specifically supports Children's Hospital No. 1 in Ho Chi Minh City and works closely with leading senior physician Dr. Nguyen Bu. Opened in 1978, the hospital is the largest children's hospital in the city with 1,600 beds. Daily, 5,000 to 6,000 young patients receive outpatient care there; annually, 600 to 700 operations are performed for congenital colorectal malformations. Our common goal is to sustainably improve the care of these children through the development and implementation of clear diagnostic, therapeutic, and aftercare algorithms. This involves not only surgical expertise but also long-term structures, knowledge transfer, and the chance for a healthy, dignified life for every single child.
Encounters, operations, and joint progress.
A key milestone in our collaboration was a colorectal surgery course organized by the Children's Surgery Foundation from February 22 to March 2, 2019, in Da Nang, in cooperation with the Colorectal Team Overseas (CTO) and the International Alliance for the Children of Vietnam (IPSAC). At Da Nang Women and Children's Hospital, we worked closely with a dedicated team of Vietnamese pediatric surgeons. Out of 30 presented patients, 20 children were selected for surgical correction. The procedures were performed simultaneously in three operating theaters and broadcast live to an auditorium, where approximately 300 participants followed and discussed the operations.
We also had the opportunity to work with Dr. Hoa’s pediatric surgical team at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi, where five more children underwent operations after thorough preparation for the procedures.
These missions strengthen our trusting cooperation and clearly show how important intensive professional exchange is.
Together, we want to continue on this path, sustainably improve the care of affected children, and are grateful for any support that makes this work possible.