MCNV FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT

On October 10, 2026, Hai Duong Medical Technical University (HMTU), in collaboration with the Medisch Comité Nederland – Vietnam (MCNV), jointly organized a scientific conference celebrating the “10-Year Journey of Building and Developing Occupational Therapy Education.” The milestone event highlights HMTU’s continuous effort toward global integration and enhancing healthcare rehabilitation in Vietnam. Remarkable Achievements Over a Decade of Partnership Over the past decade, with dedicated technical and organizational support from MCNV, HMTU has achieved major milestones in capacity building for Occupational Therapy (OT). The university has completed training for 36 graduates from the work-study Bachelor’s program, 51 graduates from the full-time Bachelor’s program, and provided specialized OT training and certifications for 224 trainee-turns of healthcare staff across various provinces. In total, HMTU has contributed over 200 qualified OT professionals to Vietnam’s healthcare system, playing a critical role in addressing the growing national demand for rehabilitation services. Among the program’s alumni is Ms. Dinh Ngoc Diep, a graduate of the inaugural full-time class for the Bachelor of Rehabilitation in OT in 2024. She currently serves as a lecturer in the Rehabilitation Division within the Faculty of Clinical Medicine at the  University of Public Health. “The curriculum at HMTU empowered me to identify my strengths, choose a suitable career path, and set personal development goals. Now as a lecturer, I continue to receive academic support from my former lecturer at HMTU, particularly regarding teaching methodologies and practical instruction,” said Diep. International Recognition: Achieving WFOT Accreditation (2025–2032) The crowning achievement of the 10-year journey occurred on February 25, 2026, when the Bachelor of Rehabilitation in OT program of HMTU was officially approved as meeting international standards by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) for the 2025–2032 period. The program satisfied rigorous global benchmarks, requiring 60% of the curriculum to be dedicated to specialized OT knowledge, a minimum of 1,000 clinical practice hours, and a well-balanced structure integrating international standards with local context. This accreditation significantly boosts HMTU’s educational standing while opening up enhanced career opportunities and global integration pathways for its students and alumni. Vision for Future Development Speaking at the 10th-anniversary celebration, Dr. Pham Thi Cam Hung (MD, PhD), Vice Rector of HMTU, highlighted the strategic roadmap: “The University will continue developing a doctoral-level teaching team and expanding specialized faculty; converting the University Hospital into our primary clinical practice base; and integrating digital technology and AI into OT education and intervention. We will also maintain regular curriculum reviews to ensure WFOT standards for the next period, strengthen international cooperation, and build tight connections with recruiting partners.” Reaffirming MCNV’s commitment, Mr. Pham Dung (MD, MPH), Chief of MCNV Representative Office in Vietnam, stated: “Collaborating to improve training quality in rehabilitation in general and OT in particular has been and will continue to be a key priority of MCNV in the coming period.” Formal Occupational Therapy Education in Vietnam was kick started in 2016 through the joint efforts of MCNV, HMTU, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, under a project funded by the U.S. Government through Humanity & Inclusion Vietnam (2016–2022). Since 2023, capacity-building activities for OT […]

Dear donor, We are happy to share the news that MCNV has launched a new program in Quang Tri, Vietnam: the PRO-POOR project. Together with local partners, we will support impoverished women from ethnic minority groups in building stronger, more sustainable livelihoods. The first 50 women have already been selected. Through the program, women gain access to agricultural knowledge, seeds, livestock, and start-up capital. They also learn how to market their products more effectively and build a more stable income. At the same time, we focus on healthy nutrition for women and young children. Our goal is ambitious: for 300 women to increase their income by at least 20%, for families to have access to more varied food, and for food shortages during the lean season to be reduced. We also aim to ensure that 90% of young children have access to nutritious school meals. Around 1,000 family members will benefit directly. We love continuing the work we excel at! MCNV has been working in Quang Tri since 1968 to improve livelihoods, nutrition, and sustainable development. With PRO-POOR, we are building on that wealth of experience and on initiatives that have already proven successful in collaboration with local communities. Thanks to your commitment, we can help vulnerable women and their families become more self-reliant and resilient, step by step. Thank you very much for your support! Best regards from Dong Ha, Nguyen Thanh Tung                            Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong Program Coordinator                          Financial Manager

MCNV is looking for a Supervisory Board member serving as financial expert. If you are interested, please send your resume and motivation letter to the following email, clearly stating your preferred position to MCNVamsterdam@mcnv.nl  

Under the support of the Inclusion IIb project, 28 healthcare workers from Gia Lai and Quang Ngai province have completed two 9-month basic training courses in Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SALT). The graduation ceremony, held on August 27, 2026, was attended by Dr. Le Quang Hung – Director of the Gia Lai Department of Health, Dr. Do Ngoc Hoa – Deputy Director of the Quang Ngai Department of Health, Dr.Pham Thi Cam Hung – Vice Rector of Hai Duong Medical Technical University (HMTU), Dr.Vu Dinh Tuyen – Head of the Department of Training Management, HMTU, HMTU lecturers and leader from the Quy Nhon Hospital of Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation, representatives from MCNV, and all 28 course participants. Organized by MCNV in partnership with Hai Duong Medical Technical University under the Inclusion IIb Project, the courses blended online theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical practice. At the ceremony, trainees reflected on their learning journey and shared their plans for the future. “These nine months have been a deeply meaningful journey. Step by step, we mastered the core principles and practices of OT—from patient assessment and intervention planning to guiding patients through activities of daily living and social reintegration. Every patient has unique needs; being an OT practitioner takes clinical skills, patience, and true empathy. While this course has ended, it marks the beginning of a new chapter as we put these skills into practice to elevate patient care.”  (Mr. Nguyen Quoc Toan, Vinh Thanh Medical Center, Gia Lai Province — OT Class Representative) “Moving forward, we are committed to applying these newly acquired skills directly to our clinical work. We look forward to sharing knowledge with our colleagues, guiding families through home-based care, and joining multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams across healthcare facilities and community programs.”  (Dr.Nguyen Thi Quyen, Ngoc Hoi Area General Hospital, Quang Ngai Province – SALT Class Representative) Beyond applying their new competencies to daily practice, the graduates expressed a strong drive to pursue advanced training in the future. Their goal remains clear: to deliver high-quality rehabilitation services that empower patients to live independently, rebuild confidence, and fully reintegrate into their communities. About the Inclusion IIb Project: Donor: United States Government Project Owner: National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) Managing Partner: Humanity & Inclusion Vietnam (HI) Implementing Partner: MCNV is one of the implementing partners, responsible for rehabilitation workforce capacity building activities