On the afternoon of 13 September 2025, FV Hospital successfully organised a CME-accredited medical symposium titled “New Horizons in the Management of Overweight, Obesity, and Innovative Techniques in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Related to Obesity.” The event brought together more than 170 physicians and healthcare professionals from various specialties, providing a valuable forum to update medical knowledge and exchange multidisciplinary approaches to managing overweight and obesity.

Ms Tran Le Quyen, Chief Financial Officer of FV Hospital, presents flowers and commemorative plaques to the speakers.

More than a routine knowledge update, the symposium offered fresh perspectives that surprised participants, as these topics had seldom, if ever, been addressed in previous medical forums.

Session 1: New Approaches in the Management and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity

Speakers engaged in active discussions at the conclusion of Session 1.

Dr Ho Minh Tuan, Head of Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at FV Hospital, opened the session by highlighting the direct link between obesity and cardiovascular disease, emphasising that losing just 5–10% of body weight can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension, lipid disorders, and stroke.

Dr Nguyen Huu Man, Endocrinologist at FV Hospital, followed with an update on GLP-1 receptor agonists, a breakthrough class of medication that enables obese patients to achieve sustainable weight loss, improved glycaemic control, and reduced cardiovascular risk, thereby bringing international standards of treatment to Vietnam.

One of the most striking highlights came from Dr Le Anh Tuan, Urologist and Andrologist at FV Hospital, who presented the “Testosterone–Obesity Vicious Cycle in Men”: increased abdominal fat can lead to decreased testosterone levels, which in turn promote further fat accumulation. This rarely discussed mechanism drew considerable attention from the audience. According to Dr Tuan, testosterone therapy may offer a potential key to breaking this pathological cycle, opening new possibilities for managing obesity in men.

Dr Le Anh Tuan, Urology and Andrology Specialist at FV Hospital

Session 2: Innovative Techniques for Treating Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Speakers from Session 2 respond to questions during the Q&A session.

One of the most anticipated presentations came from Prof Duong Quy Sy, President of the Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine. He presented concerning data showing that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is rapidly increasing among overweight and obese patients and is a direct risk factor for hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. His lecture offered a comprehensive perspective that remains under-recognised in Vietnam: sleep serves as a “mirror” reflecting overall health, particularly in the context of the global obesity epidemic.

Prof Duong Quy Sy, President of the Vietnam Society of Sleep Medicine

Continuing the session, Dr Vo Cong Minh, Head of Otorhinolaryngology at FV Hospital, presented multi-level surgical solutions for OSA. Dr Nguyen Duc Trung, Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Nancy, France, then introduced hypoglossal nerve stimulation, an advanced technique that helps keep the airway open during sleep and offers new hope for obese patients with severe OSA.

Dr Nguyen Duc Trung, Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Nancy, France

Closing the programme, Dr Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at FV Hospital, outlined the most effective strategy for managing obesity: combining nutrition, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy within a multidisciplinary, individualised approach for each patient.

The symposium concluded on an inspiring note, not only for its in-depth scientific updates and fresh insights but also for the spirit of openness and knowledge sharing among experts from diverse specialties.

Prof Duong Quy Sy praised FV Hospital: “For a private hospital like FV, organising a multidisciplinary, large-scale scientific symposium such as this is truly commendable. It highlights FV’s commitment to improving treatment quality and delivering sustainable value to Vietnam’s medical community. Diagnosing obesity and sleep apnoea requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach, while treatment must be highly specialised. FV has achieved, and continues to achieve, this balance.”

Speakers and event sponsors gather for a group photo to mark the successful conclusion of the symposium.

Through such dedicated scientific events, FV Hospital continues to affirm its pioneering role in fostering knowledge exchange, providing a platform for experts from Vietnam and abroad to share updates on medical advances and develop more comprehensive treatment solutions for patients.