Inauguration ceremony of the Health Evaluation and Promotion Center (HECI) held on Oct.14.
International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) has inaugurated the first Japanese style health checkup center in Viet Nam, Health Evaluation and Promotion Center Cho Ray Hospital-International University of Health and Welfare (HECI), partnering with Cho Ray Hospital at a new complex adjacent to the Hospital. IUHW held the inauguration ceremony of the facility on Oct.14, with the attendance of over 300 guests from Vietnamese administrative authorities, and business communities of Japan and Vietnam, including Dr. Kuninori Takagi, Chairman, IUHW; Dr. Nguyen Truong Son, Director, Cho Ray Hospital; H.E. Kunio Umeda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Japan to Vietnam; Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki, Chief Medical and Global Health Officer, Ministry of Health and Welfare; Mr. Toshio Takiguchi, President, Canon Medical Systems Corporation; H.E. Mr. Truong Hoa Binh, Standing Deputy Prime Minister; Prof. Nguyen Viet Tien, Vice Minister of Health.
The ceremony started with traditional lion dancing, followed by the opening remark of Dr. Son, Director, Cho Ray Hospital addressing his expectation of HECI on reducing burden to medical facilities by early detection of diseases. Then Dr. Takagi, Chairman, IUHW declared the resolve toward the success of this project; “This is the first initiative in Viet Nam to offer the Japanese style health checkup service with the equivalent quality to those offered at IUHW Mita Hospital and Sanno Hospital. Japan has become one of the world’s leading countries with the longest life expectations, thanks to the early detection and treatment of diseases by the proliferation of health checkups. I will be very glad if I can contribute to the health promotion of Vietnamese people through promoting the concept of the preventive medicine in this country.”
H.E.Umeda, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam gave his congratulatory remark on behalf of Japanese government; “Persistent will of Dr.Takagi has come true to materialize the health checkups with the Japanese standard in Viet Nam. IUHW has made one of the most noteworthy contribution in the medical corporation initiatives from Japan to Viet Nam.”
HECI is located across the street from Cho Ray Hospital connected by the corridor. A preview event of HECI was held after the ceremony, followed by the celebratory reception at the Hotel Nikko Saigon.
Dr. Suzuki, Chief Medical and Global Health Officer, Ministry of Health and Welfare made a speech at the reception, “The Ministry of Health, Viet Nam and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan have concluded a memorandum of cooperation in the field of health and welfare in 2014. Cooperation projects in various areas have been initiated including the establishment of this facility. The expected role of this facility in preventive medicine for early detection and treatment is critically important, and I am confident that the facility will contribute to extend the life expectancy of Vietnamese people through sharing the Japanese knowledge and experience in preventive medicine.
Then Mr. Takiguchi, President, Canon Medical Systems Corporation which invested in this project with IUHW addressed, “Mr. Takagi has envisioned a health checkup center where customers can take inspections in cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Based on his vision, in addition to the introduction of high-end medical equipment for patient-friendly inspection, bright and beautiful center with the full of sun light entering and the interior based around the chic color brown is materialized. All of our employees are so proud of supporting to develop such a great facility as our first initiative in Viet Nam.”
In 2018, Japan and Viet Nam are celebrating the 45th anniversary of establishment of foundation of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Over 200 commemorating events have been held in both countries, and the opening ceremony was positioned as one of the events. “Investment Registration Approval” for this project was issued at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Da Nang, Viet Nam in November 2017 when the summit meeting was held between H.E. Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. The Japan-Viet Nam Joint Statement released at the summit meeting between the two leaders held in Tokyo in May, 2018 also referred to the both leaders’ welcome to the upcoming launching of the health checkup center.
