Vietnam
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We are working to develop paediatric oncology social work as a specialism in Vietnam and to continue with a Training of Trainers Psychosocial Support programme for Healthcare Professionals
400,000 children
are expected to develop cancer worldwide each year
26.2 million
population of under-18s in Vietnam
Programme Information
Programme
Centre
- Hue Central Hospital, Hue
- Vietnam Palliative Health Care Society, Ho Chi Minh City
- City Children’s Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
- National Children’s Hospital, Hanoi
Twinning
Centre
Asian Children’s Care League (ACCL)
Contact
Megan Cruise – Psychosocial Support Advisor
Background
We are working to develop paediatric oncology social work as a specialism in Vietnam and to continue with a Training of Trainers Psychosocial Support programme for Healthcare Professionals.
We know that the most vulnerable families are much more likely to abandon treatment, for economic and cultural reasons.

Key Activities
- Developing paediatric oncology social work as a specialism in Vietnam by launching specialist clinical training in paediatric oncology social work for social workers, incorporating it into university social work syllabuses and raising awareness arounds its benefits.
- Developing a model of paediatric oncology social work at Hue Central and Ho Chi Minh City Hospitals by recruiting, training and mentoring Vietnam’s first specialist Paediatric Oncology Social Workers.
- Training of Trainers: Childhood Cancer Psychosocial Support Programme for Healthcare Professionals

Problems
- Treatment abandonment rates are high
- Children from the most vulnerable population are underserved and less likely to reach the appropriate care
- Lack of psychologists and social workers to provide specialist support to families who have a child with cancer
