Professor, British Knight of Vietnamese origin talks with 300 Vietnamese scientists

The discussion with the theme "From Vietnam to 10 Downing Street" attracted experts, doctors, and young researchers from the British Embassy in Hanoi, Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association, Tam Anh Research Institute, Tam Anh General Hospital System, VNVC Vaccination System...

In the beginning, Professor, Knight Jonathan Van-Tam emotionally expressed: "Thank you all for welcoming me to Vietnam, thank you Tam Anh Research Institute for the invitation, giving me the privilege and opportunity to visit my homeland for the first time. I am full of emotions, as if I have returned home after nearly 60 years. At this time, I want to devote myself to sharing and exchanging."

Professor Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of the Tam Anh Research Institute, presented flowers to welcome Professor, Knight Jonathan Van-Tam on his first visit to Vietnam.

In his speech, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said that 10 Downing Street is the residence of the British Prime Minister. He named it that because it is not only a scientific article but also a story of his life - a Vietnamese-American who stood side by side with the British Prime Minister during the worst Covid-19 crisis in the past 100 years.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, a Vietnamese-American, was knighted by the British Royal Family in early 2022 for his great, practical, and revolutionary contributions to the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. He is also the former Deputy Director of the Central Health Department - in charge of expertise and scientific advisor to the British Prime Minister.

Answering a delegate about lessons for Vietnam in responding to unexpected pandemics in the future, Professor Jonathan said that in the past 100 years, the world has experienced 5 major pandemics, most of which were related to influenza. The next pandemic will certainly also be related to infectious diseases and we do not know for sure when it will happen. It is very important to proactively research and prepare for pandemics in all situations.

Scientific data is essential to take timely action and decisions when a sudden pandemic occurs, for example, data on epidemiology, cases, population movements, etc. Scientific researchers and medical staff need to be quickly connected and provide available data to make the right decisions. It is necessary to build an early pandemic warning system. As the number of infections increases, the ability to observe is very important.

When asked about the pressure and ability to produce new vaccines in a timely manner in countries like Vietnam, Professor Jonathan said that this task needs to be based on the reality of current technological advances such as gene sequencing, RNA... and the reality of the ongoing pandemic. It is necessary to have the ability to confidently focus on responding to the pandemic, combined with rapid investment in vaccine research and production. Communication work is also very important to stabilize and guide the community.

Inspiring the young generation of researchers, Professor and Knight Jonathan recalled a memorable memory with his Vietnamese father that he said was very true to the Vietnamese tradition of studiousness. When he was a child, one day he told his father "I want to buy candy and toys", his father did not agree. Then he asked "Can I buy books?", his father agreed and continued asking "How many books and which books do you want to buy".

"I encourage young people to act immediately, seize every opportunity to learn and research, and apply it practically, especially in the field of health and disease prevention for the community," said Professor Jonathan.

He has a great influence in the community of scientists who are just starting to participate in research, helping them to get on the right track, contribute and publish their research to this community. The seminar opens up a great opportunity to help many generations of young Vietnamese researchers to be inspired, connected, and create opportunities to develop internationally through his international research projects.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam shares science at the Mind-Mouth Research Institute (TAMRI)

Talking about the opportunity to cooperate with individuals or medical facilities in Vietnam in the future, specifically at Tam Anh Research Institute and VNVC Vaccination System, which are his areas of expertise, Professor Jonathan said that in the medical world, he not only works for his career but also because deep down he always wants to do something useful. "As long as I have the strength, I will contribute. If there is a suitable opportunity, I am always ready for useful work with Tam Anh Research Institute or other units in my homeland," he said.

There was a round of applause after the influential sharing of the Vietnamese-born Professor. With deep affection for his homeland, Professor Jonathan has a special interest in the preventive medicine and medical examination and treatment system of Vietnam. In the final minutes of the discussion, he gave important advice for preventive medicine, disease prevention as well as medical examination and treatment to Vietnamese experts and doctors in the new era.

On the same afternoon, Professor Jonathan visited Tam Anh General Hospital System, expressing his impression and surprise when witnessing the rapid development of Vietnam's healthcare sector. The Professor directly visited the Intensive Care and Poison Control Department (ICU), where patients with respiratory diseases and severe infections are being attended by leading doctors day and night, along with the most modern techniques being deployed such as: respiratory support by mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECMO), _CO2 removal through the extracorporeal membrane, hypothermia to reduce brain damage, etc.

The Professor also visited the Tam Anh Imaging Diagnostic Center with the world's leading modern "super machines", including many unique or rare machine systems in Vietnam and Asia, actively serving in examination, screening, diagnosis, and detection of diverse diseases for people; visited the "Lab in lab" system - the ISO 5 standard embryo culture lab system in Vietnam, the most modern in Southeast Asia of the Reproductive Support Center...

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam visited the Testing Center with many of the most modern machinery systems in the world at Tam Anh Hospital

Professor Nguyen Van Tuan - Director of Tam Anh Research Institute (TAMRI), in his concluding remarks, said that Professor Hiep Jonathan is a leading expert of global stature, especially in the fields of influenza, epidemiology, infectious diseases, vaccines, antiviral drugs and pandemic response. His exchanges and sharing will be valuable information and experience for responding to future pandemics.

The visit of Professor, Knight Jonathan Van-Tam took place in the year Vietnam and the UK celebrated the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, contributing to strengthening and consolidating strategic trust between the two countries, demonstrating the policy of promoting the contribution of overseas intellectuals to the country's development.

Prior to that, upon arriving in Vietnam on December 5, Professor Jonathan visited the VNVC Vaccination Center System to see Vietnam's efforts in promoting vaccination activities for children and adults in recent years. Professor Jonathan expressed his impression when the VNVC representative reported on the increase in the number and percentage of children and adults in Vietnam having access to high-quality vaccines equivalent to those in developed countries such as the UK, with international storage conditions but at costs suitable for the economic conditions of the Vietnamese people.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-su-hiep-si-anh-goc-viet-trao-doi-voi-300-nha-khoa-hoc-viet-nam-185231207100848909.htm