On August 9, a delegation of Japanese medical experts, led by Professor Dr. Masao Hashimoto – a specialist in bronchial ultrasound endoscopy at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan – visited and worked at Military Hospital 103. The meeting was chaired by Colonel, Associate Professor, Dr. Ta Ba Thang, Deputy Director of the hospital.

Speaking at the conference, Col. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Ba Thang highlighted that Military Hospital 103 is a Grade I General Hospital within the Army, equipped with modern facilities and staffed by a team of highly qualified doctors, many of whom have trained in countries with advanced medical systems such as Japan, the UK, the US, South Korea, and Singapore. The hospital has been applying numerous advanced techniques, particularly in the Department and Center for Respiratory Medicine, including ultrasound bronchoscopy and interventional bronchoscopy. Col. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thang expressed his hope that the working session would serve as an opportunity to exchange expertise and share practical experience with the hospital’s medical staff, thereby enhancing the quality of diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of respiratory diseases, as well as improving bronchoscopy procedures.

The technical team from the Respiratory Center, Military Hospital 103, performed the EBUS-TBNA technique to diagnose causes of mediastinal lymph node enlargement under the guidance and support of Japanese experts.

Prof. Dr. Masao Hashimoto instructing the EBUS-TBLB technique for diagnosing peripheral lung tumors.

During the visit, Prof. Dr. Hashimoto expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from the hospital’s leadership. He also shared professional insights and updates on bronchoscopy and ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques, provided hands-on guidance using models, and directly performed these techniques on patients in the operating room.

Col. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Ba Thang, Prof. Dr. Masao Hashimoto, and delegates attending the scientific workshop “Update on Ultrasound Bronchoscopy Techniques.”

In recent years, Military Hospital 103 has regularly hosted professional exchanges with leading experts from countries with advanced medical systems such as Japan, Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These activities play an important role in enhancing healthcare quality and advancing the training of the hospital’s medical personnel.

News and photos: NGO QUY LAM

Translation: MINH KHOA