First Cleft Lip and Palate Center Opens in Northern Vietnam with Taiwan's Medical Support
The first integrated cleft lip and palate treatment center in Northern Vietnam opened at Hanoi Children's Hospital in March, established with the crucial support of medical teams from Taiwan's Chang Gung Hospital and the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation.
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The first integrated cleft lip and palate treatment center in Northern Vietnam and the second in the entire country opened at the Hanoi Children's Hospital in March, with Taiwan's medical team serving as the key force behind the scenes. Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, the center's director who travels to Taiwan's Chang Gung Memorial Hospital annually for advanced training, expressed her deep gratitude for Taiwan's medical resources and technical training, stating that the Taiwanese spirit inspires the Vietnamese medical team.
Located over 30 minutes from downtown Hanoi, the newly built hospital building with its bright lobby and child-friendly spaces resembles a hospital in Taiwan. The 2-year-old facility reflects modernity and vitality in its space planning and atmosphere. The specialized center on the third floor, though compact, is comprehensive and welcoming.
Dr. Lan, who has 15 years of experience in cleft lip and palate surgery, is the visionary behind this integrated center, supported throughout by Taiwanese medical experts. During an interview with CNA on the 24th, she recalled her first visit to Taiwan in 2016 to study at the Craniofacial Center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan under esteemed doctors like Lo Lun-jou, Chen Kuo-ting, and Lu Ting-chen.
Inspired by Taiwan's integrated treatment programs, Dr. Lan built this center to move beyond one-off surgeries. She noted that a decade ago, patients relied on visiting international teams, which left a gap in follow-up care like orthodontics or speech therapy. She aimed to create a 'journey' for patients from birth to adulthood, following the golden standards seen in Taiwan and the US.
In March, the Hanoi city government approved a memorandum of cooperation between the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation and the Hanoi Children's Hospital, providing funding to assist children with cleft conditions. Dr. Lan continues to visit Taiwan at least once a year for advanced training, hoping for further cooperation in high-difficulty surgeries and medical education. She emphasizes that in Taiwan, the concept of comprehensive care—including speech evaluation, nutrition, and psychological support—is well-established, whereas it is still a new concept in Vietnam.
Located over 30 minutes from downtown Hanoi, the newly built hospital building with its bright lobby and child-friendly spaces resembles a hospital in Taiwan. The 2-year-old facility reflects modernity and vitality in its space planning and atmosphere. The specialized center on the third floor, though compact, is comprehensive and welcoming.
Dr. Lan, who has 15 years of experience in cleft lip and palate surgery, is the visionary behind this integrated center, supported throughout by Taiwanese medical experts. During an interview with CNA on the 24th, she recalled her first visit to Taiwan in 2016 to study at the Craniofacial Center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan under esteemed doctors like Lo Lun-jou, Chen Kuo-ting, and Lu Ting-chen.
Inspired by Taiwan's integrated treatment programs, Dr. Lan built this center to move beyond one-off surgeries. She noted that a decade ago, patients relied on visiting international teams, which left a gap in follow-up care like orthodontics or speech therapy. She aimed to create a 'journey' for patients from birth to adulthood, following the golden standards seen in Taiwan and the US.
In March, the Hanoi city government approved a memorandum of cooperation between the Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation and the Hanoi Children's Hospital, providing funding to assist children with cleft conditions. Dr. Lan continues to visit Taiwan at least once a year for advanced training, hoping for further cooperation in high-difficulty surgeries and medical education. She emphasizes that in Taiwan, the concept of comprehensive care—including speech evaluation, nutrition, and psychological support—is well-established, whereas it is still a new concept in Vietnam.