Achievements 2001

November 1-18, 2001

Participants - 69 VOLUNTEERS

We deeply appreciate the dedication of the medical mission team members, and the contributions of our supporters and donors who have reserved a special place in their heart for the children of Vietnam, despite the world turmoil after September 11, 2001.

Our medical mission 2001 achieved new highlights on many fronts:

The medical team: 69 participants (25 physicians, 3 pharmacists, 9 nurses, 1 physician-assistant, 7 audiologists, 2 speech therapists, 1 physical therapist, 2 engineers, 2 medical students & 12 volunteers) with many medical specialties represented: anesthesia, audiology, family medicine, pediatric surgery, obstetrics-gynecology, ophthalmology, pediatrics & pediatric subspecialties of emergency/critical care and neonatology, pharmacy, physical therapy, plastic/reconstructive surgery and speech therapy.
The second seminar for the Vietnam Pediatric Association jointly sponsored with Project Outreach at the National Institute of Pediatrics, which drew 170 participants.
Pediatric Surgery seminar at the National Institute of Pediatrics with over 100 surgeons from all the provinces in Vietnam.
Newborn hearing screening at the Institute for the protection of Mother and Newborn and birth centers in Hanoi, by the Audiology group from Brigham Young University, Utah.
Primary care survey and Nutrition assessment for school children in Hoa Binh province.

Achievements

Education and training:

Seminar at the National Institute for Pediatrics presenting a Course on Resuscitation (Neonatal & Pediatric) and updates on topics in General Pediatrics (Hearing loss and early detection, Cardiology for the General Pediatrician, Early brain development and Developmental delay, Diagnostic challenges), Neonatology (Hyperbilirubinemia) and Emergency care (Respiratory emergencies). It was well attended by over 170 pediatricians nationwide with highest evaluation from the audience. The attendees received a Certificate after successful completion of the Resuscitation course with written exam and skills station.
A one-day seminar in Pediatric Surgery at the National Institute of Pediatrics gathering 100 surgeons, on topics of trauma care, pediatric surgery and anesthesia.
Team physicians and nurses worked in areas of Pediatric and Neonatal ICU, General Pediatric ward, Pediatric Surgery and helped develop important protocols and guidelines.
Two team obstetricians worked at the Institute for the protection of Mother and Newborn, lecturing and seeing patients with the staff on the ward, the clinic and in the operating room.
Training course for the medical staff at Hoa Binh General Hospital on Resuscitation and Pediatric Emergencies. The physicians enthusiastically practiced on emergency and resuscitation procedures.
Hoa Binh staff physicians worked with our team in the areas of Anesthesia, Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial surgery and Obstetrics/Gynecology in the operating room and on the ward. Pediatric and Rehabilitation clinical teaching was also provided by team members.
Project Vietnam provided a scholarship for a staff pediatrician to obtain further training in Emergency and Critical care at the National Institute of Pediatrics for 3 months.

Surgical Repair:

88 patients received corrective operations (44 ophthalmology cases & 44 reconstructive maxillofacial cases) at Hoa Binh General Hospital. The patients and their families were mostly indigent residents from remote locations. A social fund was set up to assist them with further resources, and the patients were provided with medicines, added nutrition and gift packs.

Commune Clinics:

At the communes of Thong Nhat, Dan Chu and Dan Hoa about 1,000 patients were treated and received medicines. Project Vietnam donated 900 gift packs of much needed multivitamins, antiparasitic, Iron-Folate & antalgic-decongestant medicines. Appropriate follow-up by local commune personnel was arranged whenever appropriate. Basic diagnostic tools, medicines, and patient education materials were gifted after discussion with the healthcare staff.

Hoa Binh Elementary Schools:

The Primary care team provided comprehensive physical exams (including vision, hearing and anemia testing) and 1,200 gift packs to 2 elementary schools of Ly Tu Trong and Dan Hoa. A nutrition survey was administered, revealing abject poverty and malnutrition at Dan Hoa school where students ate one meal daily and went cold and hungry.

Audiology Services:

About 300 hearing tests were conducted on newborn babies at the main Women’s hospital, and in birthing centers of Hanoi. Audiological testing was done also in Hanoi at the National Institute of Pediatrics on patients with Cerebral Palsy, and in Hoa Binh province at the General Hospital and primary schools. The teaching staff of the Audiology department at Brigham Young University provided training at the National Institute of Pediatrics, the ENT institute and C Hospital.