our mission
Vietnam Health Clinic (VHC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving access to health care for underprivileged communities in Vietnam. Over a span of two weeks, VHC hosts a mobile health clinic, providing medical, dental, optometric, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic services. With the help of student members and healthcare professionals along with our local community, sponsors and volunteers, we have been able to provide aid to over 17,000 patients over the past thirteen years.
To continue delivering quality health care to these communities, VHC's upcoming mobile health clinic will be in the summer of 2023. Our healthcare professionals and student members who join us for the trip help us as providers and personal interpreters. What’s unique about our clinic is that we focus on providing student members with valuable clinical experience working alongside healthcare professionals. If you would like to apply to be a student member or healthcare professional for our next clinic in Vietnam, please click on the respective links for more information.
In the process of fulfilling our goal, we collaborate with local university students and healthcare providers in Vietnam in a joint effort to minimize health disparities in rural communities. We have also collaborated with non-profit organizations in Vietnam such as the Friends of Hue Foundation, the Wellness Global Foundation, and ASSORV: Association for the Support of Orphans in Vietnam.
Clinic ComponentS
Medicine
Each patient that we see during our health clinic undergoes a general examination by one of our medical physicians. Patients are examined, diagnosed and prescribed with the proper treatment and medication if needed. Physicians also discuss lifestyle changes for long-term preventative care.
Dentistry
In our Dentistry component, our dentists perform general check-ups. After consultation, tooth extractions and/or fluoride treatments can be provided to patients. Recently, we have also incorporated restorative dental care as a new service. In addition, each patient receives education on proper dental hygiene, a toothbrush, and toothpaste to help them maintain healthy dental hygiene.
OPtometry
Patients visiting our Optometry component receive a comprehensive eye exam by our optometrists to check their overall eye health and provided with glasses if necessary. We are now also offering eligible patients the opportunity to receive free cataract surgery through our partnership with Da Nang Eye Hospital.
Physical therapy
Pharmacy
Public health
After an initial evaluation by one of our physical therapists, patients are provided basic plan of care and shown physical exercises that they can perform for long-term alleviation of chronic pain.
After visiting our various healthcare components, patients visit our pharmacy to receive the medications they were prescribed throughout the clinic and counsel on how to correctly take their medication. We also typically give our patients essential tools to help them live a healthy lifestyle such as vitamins, sunglasses, milk, or even toys for our younger patients.
During our Public Health component, we encourage patients to actively take charge of their health by educating them about healthy lifestyle choices and preventative care. We engage patients through interactive activities and exercises that allow us to connect and have fun with them.