Patient-centred care: The heart of modern healthcare approach to improve patient’s satisfactory
Patient-centred care approach prioritises individual patients’ needs, preferences, and values throughout their care journey, empowers patients to become active participants in their care, particularly during the decision-making process. To adopt this approach, healthcare professionals must develop strong communication skills and serve as patient advocates to address patient needs effectively. Key requirements required from health professionals […]
Collab Lab’s Meet the Scientists: Where science lovers connect
With the new concept ‘Through the Lenses of Science’, Collab Lab’s upcoming Meet the Scientists event is designed to bring meaningful interactions and engagement opportunities for young people to be able to dialogue and gain deep insight on scientific research as well as build the connection with scientists at OUCRU. Meet the Scientists is an […]
Moral distress of frontline workers in research settings is often overlooked
The kick-off meeting for the Moral Distress Frontline Staff Network was organised over two and a half days, gathering professionals from the UK, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Sierra Leone, and Vietnam—each committed to improving the experience and well-being of frontline research staff working in resource-constrained settings. Complex emotions tied to frontline workers’ […]
Upcoming webinar: Malaria Burden in Southeast Asia: Research Findings and Community Engagement Impact
Malaria remains a serious threat to public health across Asia. The South-East Asia Region has the second-highest malaria burden globally, with WHO estimating that 1.61 billion people remain at risk and the disease being endemic in nine countries. The Global Health Network, Oxford University Clinical Research Units (OUCRU) and Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit […]
The world is facing a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030(*)
World Health Worker Week (#WHWWeek) highlights the importance of the health workforce – nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, doctors, community health workers/volunteers, technicians, and their colleagues – the heart of global health. Led by the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, #WHWWeek calls for increased investment in all cadres of the health workforce and advocates for prioritizing human resources […]
One-third of antibiotics used in Vietnam are ‘inappropriate’
Ranking 11th globally in antibiotic use, Vietnam faces a serious risk of drug resistance, ‘running out of treatment options due to antibiotic resistance’. According to statistics, treatment options due to antibiotic resistance’, 79% of antibiotics taken in Vietnam are over the recommended level, and antibiotics are most often prescribed unnecessarily(*). Scientists also highlight the fact […]
TBM survivor: “TBM can be completely cured.”
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a form of tuberculosis that carries the highest mortality rate due to its gradual onset, non-specific symptoms, and easy confusion with other brain infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that children account for 10-12% of new and recurring TB cases annually. Approximately 70,000 infants and children die from TB each […]
60% of hepatitis C patients do not know how they had the disease(1)
A survey conducted at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases shows that approximately 60% of patients did not know how they contracted hepatitis C and the majority of patients only discovered their disease when it had been already in the late stage(1). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the number of deaths caused by […]
2024 Highlights: Further Engagement with Youth in Research at OUCRU
As we reflect on 2024, let’s look at our public and community engagement achievements. One particular highlight is our continuing partnership with young people to nurture a strong connection between research and the younger generation.
56.8% of Young People Lost Concentration or Interest in Living in 2021 (*)
Global and National Mental Health Statistics Among Youth According to UNICEF, at least 30% of school-age children experienced stress, anxiety, or depression due to health-related social restrictions during and after the pandemic. Poverty, violence, gender social norms, high-pressure learning environments, and stressful life events all contribute to emotional and psychological distress among young people.(1) Another UNICEF […]
The Important Role of Young People in Tackling AMR
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health and socioeconomic crisis. Regardless of its impact on human and animal health, food production, and the environment that could happen to everyone, everywhere, there’s still much to be done to raise public and stakeholder awareness. A global online survey of nearly 200 stakeholders from human, animal, plant, […]
Bioethics Grant Awardees Webinar: Highlighting the Importance of Bioethics in Research
Recognising that bioethics is an essential part of research, particularly in biology and medicine, the Southeast Asia (SEA) Bioethics Network was established with support from the Wellcome Trust Research Development Award. The network is dedicated to publicise the bioethics approaches across Southeast Asia by promoting a deeper understanding and application of ethical principles in biological […]
Applying genetic technology for early TBM diagnosis helps to enhance patients’ quality of life
Vietnam remains a country with a high tuberculosis burden, with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) being particularly challenging to detect early, often leading to severe neurological sequelae in patients. TBM has a mortality rate of 20%–50%, and neuro-disability occurs in up to 50% of survivors(1). One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing TBM is that its clinical symptoms […]
Dengue: Are Baby Mosquitoes a Hidden Threat?
Did you know that dengue fever cases have witnessed a ten-fold surge in the past two decades?(1) This tropical disease continues to be a global health situation. The fight against dengue has become increasingly complicated due to drastic changes in mosquito behavior and geographical distribution. Traditionally, we’ve focused on preventing mosquito bites. But now, researchers are […]
Forum Theatre: Exploring Community’s Power and Raising Awareness
Forum Theatre, a branch of the so-called Theatre of the Oppressed, is an interactive and participatory form of theatre developed by Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal in the 1970s. This unique approach has the potential to explore a community’s voice and raise awareness by empowering people with a tool that encourages them to change reality […]
It’s time to prioritise mental health at workplace
10th October is World Mental Health Day. This year’s official theme, “It’s Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace,” once again emphasised the importance of mental health in professional settings. The global campaign aimed to advocate for improved mental healthcare systems and procedures in workplaces, ensuring employees feel their mental health is prioritised, protected, […]
Webinar Supporting Mental Health for Healthcare Workers in Times of Crisis
In honour of World Mental Health Day, OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement group, in partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), Vietnam Psychotherapy Association (VnPA), and Medisetter, will host a webinar on “Mental Health in the Workplace.” The webinar will focus on providing psychological first aid, raising awareness about mental health during and after […]
Youth Ambassadors Aim to Raise Tetanus Awareness Through Public and Community Engagement Activities
The Youth Science Ambassadors (YSA) project, launched in 2021, has become a key youth engagement activities of OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement Group. Becoming part of the project, young participants are empowered to lead, propose, plan, and execute their own initiatives addressing specific issues they identify themselves. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, YSAs produced […]
Community Engagement and Involvement: Enhancing Research Impact
At OUCRU, we have integrated public and community engagement projects into our research program since 2011. But what exactly is community engagement (and involvement), and why is it important to global health research? Let’s take a look at the summary of a new free course on MESH, a community engagement knowledge and professional support hub […]
Stress Management, an essential skill for healthcare workers
In the high-pressure, high-stakes field of healthcare, effective stress management is critical. It’s essential for maintaining the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers, as well as ensuring high-quality patient care. According to the statistics of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, in 2021, the number of healthcare workers who quit was 968 people. […]