Vietnam is a dynamic and rapidly developing country with a rich cultural history and a growing global presence. Over the past two decades, the country has made significant strides in improving healthcare, with rising life expectancy and reductions in child and maternal mortality. In fact, the under-five mortality rate has dropped dramatically from over 50 per 1,000 live births in the 1990s to under 20 today, reflecting improved child health services and vaccination programs.

However, children with complex health conditions, such as hydrocephalus, still face challenges in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care, particularly in rural regions where disparities in access to specialized care persist.

The NeuroKids team has been involved in Vietnam for more than 25 years, training neurosurgeons at various sites nationwide to build skills that address hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Most recently, in September 2024, NeuroKids visited partners in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Ha Noi.

Currently, seven neurosurgeons are trained in the Warf Method across Vietnam—not nearly enough for a country with over 100 million people. Plans are underway to extend training and treatment so more children have access to this innovative procedure. 

Number of children who have received hydrocephalus surgeries since NeuroKids intervention: