France, Vietnam promote medical cooperation
(VOV) -France and Vietnam have a long and effective history of medical cooperation and France has helped train many generations of Vietnamese doctors since the 80s of the 19th century.
Vietnamese Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien made the statement during her official visit to France from May 16-18.
Medical cooperation was officially conducted since they established diplomatic ties 40 years ago and their relationship has continued to grow and flourish after the Agreement on Medical and Pharmaceutical Cooperation was reached by the two governments in February 1993.
Today, more than 1,200 Vietnamese doctors are studying in resident training programmes (FFI). About 300 are currently doing their second apprenticeship and 600 are pursuing other educational programmes in France.
Many medical trainees in France have become leading experts and key managers in the Vietnamese medical sector.
While in France, Minister Tien met with French Minister of Health and Social Affairs Marisol Touraine and Deputy Minister for Development under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pascal Canfin.
Ms. Tien said Vietnam hopes France will agree to sponsor a project to modernize the Hanoi Medical University, continue its training programmes for internists and specialists in diagnostic imaging, testing, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and first aid.
Vietnam also hopes France will strengthen basic training in pharmacology, including drug research, bio-technology, immunology and genetics, she said.
During her visit, Minister Tien also attended the Vietnamese embassy’s 40th celebration of Vietnam-France medical cooperation, as well as the signing ceremony for an agreement between Hanoi Medical University and University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 to exchange lecturers and students, promote joint research, and develop modern medical training programmes in Vietnam.