A Vietnamese Delegation Visits the Children’s Hospital to Strengthen Cooperation in Child Mental Health
On March 25, 2025, the Queen Fabiola University Children’s Hospital (HUDERF) had the privilege of welcoming a delegation from the Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (CTUMP), a leading academic institution in Vietnam.
This visit was part of a broader effort to foster international scientific cooperation and to share clinical practices in child mental health, with a particular focus on nutrition and the management of autism spectrum disorders.
The academic and institutional exchange included:
– A structured discussion with HUDERF’s medical leadership and the specialized teams of the Autism Unit
– A guided visit of the APPI Unit (Autism – Early Individualized Care) and the Parent-Baby Unit
– In-depth discussions on therapeutic approaches, patient care systems, and the specific functioning of HUDERF — the only hospital in Belgium entirely dedicated to pediatrics
This visit marks an important step forward in strengthening international cooperation in child mental health. Sharing our respective expertise with the teams from Can Tho University paves the way for rich exchanges on clinical approaches and cultural perspectives in child psychiatry — all for the benefit of young patients, both here and abroad
We extend our warmest thanks to Professor Nguyen Tan Dat, Vice Dean of CTUMP, and to the entire delegation for the quality of the discussions, their commitment, and their clear desire to build stronger ties between our institutions.
We also sincerely thank the dedicated teams from the H.U.B and ULB — pediatricians, child psychiatrists, healthcare professionals, coordinators and child mental health experts — for their invaluable involvement.
Present to welcome the delegation:
– Prof. Jean-Christophe Beghin, Medical Director, HUDERF
– Ms. Anna Grosswasser, Deputy Director of the Pediatrics Department, H.U.B
– Prof. Véronique Delvenne, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, H.U.B
– Dr. Joana Reis, Resident in Child Psychiatry, H.U.B
– Prof. Raymond Reding, Head of Pediatric Hepatobiliary and Portal System Surgery
– Mr. Michael Henneaux, Chief Educator, APPI Unit, HUDERF
– Mr. Luc Detavernier, Mental Health Advisor for Public Hospitals, Brussels Region
– Prof. Jean-Louis Moortgat, International Senior Officer – ASIA, ULB, Department of International Relations
– Mr. Christian Saelens, General Delegate, Mission Officer – Palestine – Southeast Asia: Vietnam, WBI
