INTRODUCTION
A partnership project to enhance gestational diabetes management capacity in Vietnam
OVERVIEW
The core mission of the VALID project is to provide essential self-care knowledge for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We believe that empowering patients through education and community support is key to ensuring a healthy pregnancy for both mother and baby.
EDUCATION
Providing materials and courses on blood glucose management, physical activity and nutrition.
COMMUNITY
Building support networks from families and local clubs.
TECHNOLOGY
Digital applications for remote health monitoring and consultation.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATION
The VALID project is a strong academic partnership between Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy (TBUMP), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), and University of Southern Denmark (SDU). Locally, the project collaborates closely with Thai Binh provincial health authorities, Thai Binh Obstetrics Hospital, and Kim Ngan Clinic. Additionally, VALID II is implemented in close coordination with the Denmark-Vietnam Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) project to strengthen capacity for primary healthcare workers in managing non-communicable diseases.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
To strengthen skills for scientists, the project successfully organized 7 short-term training courses taught jointly by Vietnamese and Danish instructors, covering topics from medical anthropology, data quality, to AI applications in research. Additionally, regular group discussions, intensive data analysis workshops, and focused writing retreats helped the research team collaborate on completing high-quality scientific publications.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
The project proudly recognizes the significant contributions of individuals through prestigious awards. In 2022, Professor Tine Mette Gammeltoft was honored as Honorary Professor of Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy for her contributions to medical research. Notably, PhD student Nguyen Thi Ai excellently won First Prize at the Hanoi Medical University PhD Conference 2025 with her research on mental health of women with gestational diabetes.
DIGITAL HEALTH INTERVENTION "HEALTHY PREGNANCY"
Based on insights from anthropological and medical fieldwork, VALID II developed a pilot digital intervention program called "Healthy Pregnancy" for women with gestational diabetes (GDM). The program combines peer support networks with professional guidance from obstetricians through online platforms such as Zoom and Zalo. This solution helps pregnant women become more confident in self-managing blood glucose and reduces anxiety throughout pregnancy.
ZALO SUPPORT GROUP
ONLINE CONSULTATION
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SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION
Research findings from VALID II have been widely published in prestigious international medical journals such as Global Health Action, PLoS ONE, and leading specialized journals in Vietnam. Studies focus on prevalence, risk factors, and real-life experiences of pregnant women and their families. This data plays an important role in developing the National Guidelines for screening and management of gestational diabetes.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
International Journal
PLOS ONE
Open Research
OUR APPROACH
A unique combination of Anthropology and Clinical Medicine
ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Our anthropologists delve into the daily lives of pregnant women, understanding the cultural, social, and psychological barriers that affect treatment adherence.
MEDICAL EXPERTISE
The team of multidisciplinary doctors and healthcare experts ensures information accuracy, develops appropriate treatment protocols, and monitors clinical health indicators.
"This collaboration helps us understand patients more comprehensively, not just as blood glucose readings but as whole human beings."