NCCN visits Vietnam in continued cancer care collaboration

The National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital) in Hanoi is hosting the ‘Best of ASCO 2024’ event. Credit: Chau Doan / Getty.

Leaders from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) alliance of US cancer centres are in Vietnam today (1 November) as part of a continuing collaboration to improve cancer care standards throughout the country.

The partnership with the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and the Vietnam Cancer Association is focused on developing a version of the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines – a framework for improving and standardising cancer care – for use in Vietnam.

As part of the visit, NCCN chief executive Crystal S Denlinger will be presenting on the development and implementation of NCCN resources in Vietnam and worldwide at the ‘Best of ASCO 2024: Multimodality Treatment of Cancer and Hospital Management in the Digital Era’ event, hosted by Vietnam National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital).

Denlinger explained: “By tailoring the NCCN Guidelines to fit local needs, we can make significant strides in improving patient outcomes and ensuring that all people facing cancer in Vietnam receive the highest quality of care.”

A particular issue in the Vietnamese healthcare system is chronic overcrowding in urban hospitals. In January, the US International Trade Administration (ITA) reported that hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were receiving up to 60% of the country’s patients and operating at a 200% capacity.

Other stumbling blocks to providing effective oncological care in Vietnam include a shortage of qualified medical professionals, with potential new staff deterred by relatively low wages. Most public hospitals in the country also struggle with the lack of up-to-date equipment, which slows down diagnoses and limits treatment options.

Equipping Vietnamese hospitals

Hospitals rely on the state budget to upgrade facilities, but financial constraints delay progress. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) reported that, in 2022, Vietnam’s healthcare expenditure was approximately $18.5bn, representing 4.6% of the country’s GDP – half of the OECD average of 9.2%. However, a growing demand for healthcare services has increased pressure, and the government has worked to encourage the importation of medical equipment where local production cannot meet demand.

In 2022, Vietnam’s medical device market was valued at $1.5bn, and the ITA forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from then through 2026, with the value to reach $2.1bn. As a result of low import duties and no quota restrictions, more than 90% of the country’s medical equipment is imported.

GlobalData’s 2022 ‘Vietnam Healthcare Market‘ report said of increased demand from the country: “The medical device industry in Vietnam has emerged as one of the most promising industries for international investment as demand for medical equipment continues to rise. To support business, the local government has provided tax concessions such as corporate income tax incentives, import duty reductions, quota exemptions and land leasing fee exemptions or reductions.”

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