In partnership with the global healthcare company Novartis, from June to July 2020, the USAID Improving Access, Curriculum and Teaching in Medical Education and Emerging Diseases (IMPACT-MED) Alliance trained 4,559 senior medical students at eight Vietnamese medical schools on COVID-19 care and treatment. This includes working with the universities to develop materials, train the trainers, develop an online platform to deliver virtual training, and cover costs for logistics and professors at in-person trainings. From August 7-14, USAID IMPACT-MED supported Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMP) to conduct a series of online trainings for 2,042 senior medical students on COVID-19 epidemic characteristics and pathophysiology, COVID-19 testing procedures, proper use of personal protective equipment, and contact tracing.

So What? Senior students at Can Tho UMP now have an enhanced understanding of COVID-19 prevention and control and are better prepared to effectively engage in the community response in the Mekong Delta area.