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| Doctors from Vietnam-Australia Hand Surgery Program examine and provide consultations for patients with congenital deformities and post-surgical complications at Hue Central Hospital |
Opening up new opportunities
At the end of September 2025, Hue Central Hospital hosted the 20th Vietnam-Australia Hand Surgery Training Course with the participation of more than 120 trainees. After 28 years of operating this training model, the presence of the first international trainee from the Solomon Islands (Asia-Pacific region) marked a new milestone, demonstrating the growing academic prestige and reach of the cooperation program.
This year’s course focused on three key topics: hand surgery and microsurgery, post-operative hand rehabilitation, and updates on wrist arthroscopy. According to Dr. Ho Man Truong Phu, Director of the Center for Trauma-Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery, the expert delegation directly examined, consulted, and held case discussions for nearly 40 patients with a wide range of conditions such as congenital hand deformities, post-surgical complications, complex nerve injuries, and disorders of the shoulder, wrist, and elbow joints. Many patients experienced remarkable improvement after receiving rehabilitation guidance and gained renewed hope for functional recovery.
Le Thi Lanh (Quang Tri Province) shared: “I’ve had elbow pain for many years and sought treatment in many places without success. When I heard that Australian specialists were in Hue, I came for an examination and was advised to undergo six months of rehabilitation before surgery. Their careful approach made me feel very reassured”. Similarly, Ton That Thong (Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City), who had tendon contracture since childhood and difficulty moving his hand, saw his condition improve after being examined and treated by the specialists, and currently being monitored by Hue Central Hospital.
Not only helping patients access modern techniques, the cooperation program is also a valuable opportunity for young doctors and medical students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. Nguyen Tan Luc, a student from Duy Tan University (Da Nang City), said: “The training course helped me recognize different types of injuries, practice new techniques, and gain more experience in handling complex cases”.
According to Dr. Peter Scougall, a hand surgery specialist from Sydney Hospital, the course is not only a chance to update specialized knowledge but also a forum for exchanging experiences, improving skills, and expanding professional networks among young surgeons in Hue and across Vietnam.
After nearly 30 years, the Vietnam-Australia Hand Surgery Program has continued to grow, conducting many training courses and transferring numerous advanced techniques such as congenital hand deformity surgery, limb reattachment microsurgery, treatment of birth defects, and wrist arthroscopy. The program has helped thousands of patients regain hand function while significantly enhancing the expertise and professional capacity of Hue’s medical staff.
Spreading a spirit of humanity
More than hand surgery, international cooperation in the medical sector in Hue continues to expand across many hospitals in the city, offering free treatment opportunities to thousands of disadvantaged patients. These surgeries not only are humanitarian in nature but also serve as a bridge for transferring medical techniques, helping doctors in Hue improve their skills and spreading a spirit of compassion in community healthcare.
From Quang Ngai Province, A Luc and his wife brought their child to Hue to join a free surgery program for children with cleft lip and palate. Learning about the program through their local health station, the family quickly registered, hoping their child would receive treatment to improve appearance and communication ability. Meanwhile, in Phu Vang Commune (Hue City), Do Thi Chat shared emotionally: “My daughter had a palatal fistula that greatly affected her daily life. When we heard that Hue Odonto-Stomatology Hospital was partnering with ReSurge International (USA) to provide free surgeries, we registered immediately. The operation was successful, and now my daughter is much more confident”.
In recent years, many international medical teams have come to Hue to directly participate in surgeries, teaching, and transferring of advanced procedures. According to Dr. Le Thua Trung Hau, Head of the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic & Maxillofacial Surgery at Hue Odonto-Stomatology Hospital: “Thanks to international cooperation, our doctors have received specialized training, updated new treatment methods, standardized surgical procedures, and improved case management. As a result, professional capacity has increased, patient care has improved, and the healthcare system has developed more sustainably”.