A Vingroup representative (centre) shakes hands with research groups. (Photo courtesy of Vingroup)
Hanoi (VNA) –Private conglomerate Vingroup has pledged nearly 19.5 billion VND (around840,000 USD) to fund research projects on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Vingroup InnovationFoundation (VINIF) and Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI) on February 20signed a sponsorship agreement with the Company for Vaccine and BiologicalProduction No.1 (Vabiotech), National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, andInstitute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health to develop a vaccine,warning system and comprehensive research on the virus.
Vabiotech will get 8 billion VND(almost 345,000 USD) for the project on developing COVID-19 vaccine in thelaboratory led by Doctor Do Tuan Dat.
The National Institute ofHygiene and Epidemiology will receive a grant of nearly 7.5 billion VND (323,000USD) for the project on the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus, ledby Associate Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan.
The project to develop anational early warning system for the epidemic led by Prof. Dr. Le Thi Huong ofthe Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health will get 4 billion VND (193,000USD).
All funding will be used bythese organisations for research and producing test kits for disease diagnosis;researching treatment regimens; research and manufacture of vaccines; researchon the epidemiological characteristics, viral characteristics and transmissionability of the virus.
Vabiotech is expected toproduce 1,000 doses of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Speaking at the event, AssociateProf. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong, Managing Director of the Vingroup InnovationFoundation (VINIF), expressed her high hope over Vietnam’s scientificcontributions in controlling the epidemic.
“Aiming to promote scientificand technological research in Viet Nam, we look forward to empoweringscientists in research on disease prevention and control which will be veryeffective with the cooperation of the State. Despite being urgent, the selectedprojects have been reviewed strictly by the National Council or the ScienceCouncil of the Foundation,” she said
This agreement makes Vingroupthe first private enterprise to work with the State in controlling the virusand protecting public health./.
Conglomerate Vingroup officially opened its VinUni University (VinUni) as the first Vietnamese private and not-for-profit university at the Vinhomes Ocean Park urban area in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, on January 15.
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Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute, said that under the MoU, the two sides committed to promoting diverse and practical collaborative activities, including joint conferences and workshops, exchanges of scholars, researchers and students, sharing academic materials, and the development of specific programmes and projects in scientific research, training, and epidemic prevention.
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An estimated 7 million Vietnamese are currently living with diabetes, but about 50% remain undiagnosed, a dangerous gap that is fuelling serious, preventable complications and increasing the burden on the healthcare system.
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The Hanoi ceremony highlighted efforts to ensure all citizens, especially women and youth, can access accurate information and healthcare services to make informed reproductive choices.
After such a long time, the law has revealed many limitations, prompting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to gather opinions to amend the law to give more chances to thousands of patients every year.
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The centre not only serves residents living on the island, but also receives tens of thousands of visitors every year, according to Assoc Prof Dr Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the HCM CIty Department of Health.
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Over the past six months, 150 communal health stations in provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Tay Ninh, Hau Giang, Ben Tre and Ca Mau have been equipped with information technology systems. In addition, 117 key provincial healthcare workers have received training, with thousands more expected to follow.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health swiftly launched a telemedicine programme, connecting more than 1,000 medical establishments nationwide. The model, which remains in operation, has benefited tens of thousands of patients, including foreign nationals.
After more than three weeks of intensive treatment, the patient's pneumonia improved, breathing stabilised, sedation was reduced, and the breathing tube was removed. He is now conscious, able to eat orally, and in recovery.
A Vingroup representative (centre) shakes hands with research groups. (Photo courtesy of Vingroup) 
