On June 7, 2023, Assoc Prof Dr Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration, and a delegation from the Ministry of Health visited FVH to inspect and evaluate the effectiveness of Circular 43/2015/TT-BYT, which pertains to the organisation of social work in hospitals.

Welcoming and working with the delegation were key figures in FV’s social work activities: Dr Jean Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV Hospital; Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai, Chief Operating Officer; Ms Mai Thi Phuong Anh, Legal Director; Dr Vu Truong Son, Deputy Medical Director; and Ms Phan Hai Yen; Guest Relations Manager.

Dr Jean Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV Hospital, welcomes Director of the Department of Medical Service Administration, Assoc Prof Dr Luong Ngoc Khue, and the delegation from the Ministry of Health.

Dr Ngoc Khue said, “Regarding inspection and evaluation work, we want to learn from the practical implementation of social activities in hospitals, especially in international hospitals with 100 per cent foreign investment, such as FV.” He shared the Ministry of Health’s expectations for strengthening social activities in hospitals. Dr Ngoc Khue also pointed out the advantages of private hospitals in implementing social activities to support patients, their families, and healthcare staff.

Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO of FV, stated that social activities have been a major concern for FV since its establishment. “FV operates with the philosophy of not refusing any patient, and we have learned from many leading institutions worldwide to develop social work processes that ensure the implementation of this philosophy.” He shared a significant social activity plan for FV this year, which includes principles aiming to alleviate the financial burden on cancer patients through various financial support solutions.

Ms Pham Thi Thanh Mai, who is responsible for organising social work at FV Hospital, presented to the working delegation the procedures, forms, and practical implementation of the social work team at FV. “Social work is a complex activity that requires coordination among various departments, simultaneously addressing numerous issues, including treatment, legal matters, hospital fees, mental health, religious concerns, and patient rights,” explained Ms Thanh Mai. She also mentioned fundraising plans, similar to The Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund established by FV, to support cost-related issues for patients.

At the end of the working session, Dr Luong Ngoc Khue praised the social work models being implemented at FV Hospital. He mentioned that in the near future, the Department of Medical Service Administration will continue to work and conduct further in-depth surveys at FV Hospital and some hospitals in the southern region to gather additional materials for developing the best guidelines for social work in hospitals.

Social work in hospitals is still a relatively new field in Vietnam, and organising social work teams, groups of social workers, and work processes can be challenging. Currently, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, social work is considered an essential requirement in the chain of providing quality healthcare services.