The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an US$80 million loan to build and equip new campuses of the Hanoi Medical University and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, increasing annual undergraduate enrollment capacity by 2,200 and producing 1,863 additional health professional graduates from 2032.
Illustrative photo.
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The quality of medical staff in remote health facilities will also be enhanced through the delivery of continuing medical education programs using innovative distance learning technologies.
“The project will help Vietnam achieve its universal health coverage targets by upgrading infrastructure and boosting enrollment at two leading health education institutions,” said ADB Senior Health Specialist Gerard Servais. “The project’s focus on disadvantaged communities will help Vietnam address the health care needs of those living in poor and remote areas.”
Vietnam faces a shortage of skilled health professionals, including an estimated 43,250 doctors, 249,416 nurses, and 22,199 pharmacists by 2030.
The project seeks to address one major obstacle: limited physical space and outdated programs at Vietnam’s health education and professional training institutions restrict the increase in student enrollment and subsequently the number of qualified graduates.
