The five-member delegation included Dr Patrick Clarke Reading, Director, and Dr Michelle Wille, Outreach Coordinator, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, Australia; Dr Belinda Louise Herring, Technical Officer for Influenza, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific; and Mr Francis Yesurajan Inbanathan, Technical Office, and Dr Do Thi Hong Hien, Epidemiologist, WHO Vietnam.
During the visit, Dr Nguyễn Thành Dũng, Director of HTD, and Assoc Prof Lê Văn Tấn, Head of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Group at OUCRU, presented key achievements in research, diagnostics, clinical care, and surveillance. HTD has integrated advanced hospital information systems (EMR, HIS, LIS–PACS) to improve decision-making and patient management.
The institutions also shared their experience working with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health and the Ministry of Health on national immunisation campaigns, rapid outbreak response, and efforts to strengthen Vietnam’s national surveillance systems.
Over the past years, OUCRU and HTD have supported the national response to local outbreaks, including COVID-19, Mpox, avian influenza, measles, hand-foot-mouth disease, conjunctivitis, and respiratory infections. In May 2025, OUCRU conducted genomic sequencing of hospitalised COVID-19 cases and identified the NB.1.8.1 variant, reported for the first time in Vietnam. Results were delivered within 24–72 hours, providing critical support for timely surveillance and response.
Dr Nguyễn Thành Dũng emphasised: “At HTD and OUCRU, we are committed to continuous technical advancement, not only to deliver better care, but also to generate research that directly informs diagnostics, treatment, and disease control strategies for Vietnam and the region.”
Assoc Prof Lê Văn Tấn added: “Collaboration with WHO will help accelerate technology transfer and translation of research into action, particularly in tackling emerging infectious diseases.”
Following the discussions, the WHO delegation visited the advanced laboratories and research facilities at HTD and OUCRU. The delegation commended the institutions’ research leadership, laboratory facilities and strong collaborative networks.
“HTD and OUCRU’s cutting-edge capabilities in genomics and the newly developed immunological assays are valuable tools that can support countries in the region in identifying novel and unknown emerging threats,” said Dr Patrick Reading.
Dr Belinda Herring shared: “OUCRU is a fantastic facility and a great resource for the region. It will be great to link with the institute for training and capacity building opportunities in the future.”
This visit marks a positive step forward in the collaboration between OUCRU, HTD and WHO, supporting efforts to strengthen regional capacity for infectious disease surveillance and response.