SVCC’s Singaporean slant on cancer care

Eng Aik Meng

Why did you choose Vietnam as the location of your new cancer centre?

Vietnam’s healthcare sector is experiencing rapid growth, but there is a shortage of health facilities to serve the needs of local residents. It is estimated that Vietnamese spend about $1 billion annually for healthcare outside of Vietnam, of which 30 per cent is spent in Singapore.

Over the past few years, Vietnamese have increasingly desired to access care closer to home rather than having to travel overseas and separate from families for treatment. Many international private clinics have been set up to fulfil the increasing demand, providing healthcare services to patients right here in the community.

Vietnam Integrated Medical Services believes the local healthcare market contains great potential for long-term investments. This has inspired us to build a one-stop comprehensive cancer centre in Ho Chi Minh City, geared towards all type of cancers. Our goal is to provide the much-needed services to cancer patients in Vietnam so that they can get the care they need quickly.

What are the Singapore-Vietnam Cancer Centre’s (SVCC) unique selling points for Vietnamese patients?

When a patient is suspected of having cancer, the ability to receive assessment and accurate diagnosis as soon as possible is extremely crucial. SVCC gives patients access to top-notch cancer specialists from Vietnam and Singapore, who collaborate to make an accurate, evidence-based diagnosis within a short period of time.

A multi-disciplinary care team, comprising experts from a range of specialties, is put together to formulate suitable approaches for each cancer patient. We believe treating every patient as an individual will enable optimal outcomes and a better patient experience. Thus, SVCC not only develops individualised care plans to address the unique needs of each patient, but also designs flexible care options for its patients’ benefit.

We recognise cancer can take a toll on patients and their families, who are going through the most stressful time of their lives. SVCC strives to make it more convenient for patients and their loved ones in the battle against cancer. Our priorities of reducing language barriers, improving the treatment environment, and mitigating psychological stress will deliver the best possible care and support for patients.

photo: Le Toan

How has SVCC built a team of highly-skilled healthcare professionals to meet the sophisticated needs of patients?

As one of the city’s most progressive cancer centres, SVCC partners with renowned specialists from Singapore and Vietnam who are both experienced and recognised in their respective areas of sub-specialisation. The pool of talents gives us an edge in treating all types of cancer with complete treatment services, including medical oncology, oncologic imaging, palliative medicine, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology.

Our vision is to promote mutual learning and knowledge exchange between Vietnamese and Singaporean experts so that therapeutic strategies for each cancer patient can be developed quickly. Senior Singaporean doctors will consult with Vietnamese doctors to share advanced treatment techniques and therapy options. Meanwhile, healthcare managers from Singapore can co-ordinate with their counterparts in Vietnam to set up procedures, ensuring minimal delays and efficient workflows.

We provide training and continuous education to our doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. The project presents opportunities for Vietnamese specialists to be trained in Singapore, and to do work-exchange with the Hong Kong Cancer Centre to sharpen their skills.

Could you share some highlights of the one-stop comprehensive cancer centre?

SVCC brings together all treatment services under one roof, ranging from preventive cancer programmes and screening for early detection to cancer treatment and post-cancer treatment care. Our approach allows patients to gain access to the latest cancer treatments by Vietnamese specialists or Singaporean specialists through telemedicine. Meanwhile, our shared cares enable cancer patients to get treatment between Vietnam and Singapore on an alternate basis.

Anyone who is diagnosed with cancer can seek treatment in Singapore, and follow that with post-cancer care in Vietnam. The Vietnamese specialists will follow up on these cases and collaborate with their counterparts in Singapore to ensure that these transfer patients are getting the best care possible.

With patient experience at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the new facility also provides a seamless, personalised experience throughout the continuum of care, from screening to diagnostics and from surgery to post-care. We will be the first in Vietnam to offer follow-up cancer care services and products to aid patients’ recovery process.

Located within SVCC itself, Can-Care will offer a range of products which patients can buy from conveniently.

Additionally, medical concierge services will facilitate the patient’s choice of specialists, setting up appointments for diagnostics procedures in Singapore with our partner RadLink. The facility also eases pressure on patients by arranging for flights, accommodation, transport, and translators, as well as other necessary care.

What are the company’s commitments to transforming cancer care in Vietnam?

In addition to treatments for cancer patients, SVCC is an advocate for cancer prevention and early detection to keep the community in good health and increase patients’ chances for successful treatments. We expect to roll out a year of calendar events which will include cancer prevention educational talks and forums as well as cancer screenings. Breast cancer in particular is a common cancer among Vietnamese women, so SVCC has plans to teach breast self-examination and advise people about the importance of early detection and treatment.

Our team is passionate about what we do and we are all eager to make a difference in the community by calling for the participation of Vietnamese government agencies, cancer societies, and hospitals.

We hope to bring a lot of help to cancer patients, survivors, and their families with support programmes like Look Good Feel Better, Reach to Recovery, and the SALT Cancer Initiative. The centre actively participates in joint programmes with Vietnamese cancer support groups and foundations to keep the community moving forward.