Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and Binh Dan Hospital Forge Strategic Partnership in Robotic Surgery and Cancer Treatment

Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Binh Dan Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on August 15. Through the agreement, the two institutions will expand cooperation in robotic surgery, cancer treatment, research, and education. The partnership began after a delegation from Binh Dan Hospital visited Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in March. During the visit, the delegation expressed strong interest in the hospital’s advanced medical capabilities and technologies.

The two institutions subsequently discussed ways to strengthen Binh Dan Hospital’s clinical capabilities and establish a referral pathway for patients requiring cancer treatment at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. After approximately five months of discussions, the MOU has provided a concrete framework for future cooperation.
 

Expanding Cooperation in Robotic Surgery and Cancer Treatment

Under the agreement, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital will share its expertise in robotic surgical techniques, research, and cancer treatment. Through this exchange, the hospital will support Binh Dan Hospital in its efforts to develop into a leading robotic surgery center in Vietnam and the region. Binh Dan Hospital will strengthen its clinical and academic exchanges with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. The two institutions will also build closer cooperation in patient care, including referrals of patients requiring cancer treatment to Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.
Through these initiatives, both hospitals aim to enhance their clinical capabilities while expanding cooperation in research, education, and academic exchange.

Celebrating 4,300 Robotic Surgery Cases Through Academic Exchange

The MOU was signed alongside a scientific conference commemorating Binh Dan Hospital’s achievement of 4,300 robotic surgery cases.

Healthcare professionals from Vietnam and abroad participated in the conference, which featured lectures and academic discussions on the latest developments in advanced cancer treatment, complex urologic surgery, and laparoscopic surgery.

The conference highlighted Binh Dan Hospital’s extensive experience in robotic surgery and provided an opportunity to discuss its future direction. Together with the MOU, it also laid the foundation for closer exchange of clinical experience and medical expertise between the two institutions. 

Sharing Expertise in Robotic Surgery and AI Transformation

Professor Ji Youl Lee, President of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, participated as a co-chair of the urologic robotic surgery symposium.

During the symposium, President Lee introduced clinical and basic research on prostate cancer, as well as Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital’s Robotic Surgery Center, AI Center, and strategy for AI transformation (AX).

He also shared the latest robotic surgical techniques and examples of the hospital’s smart transformation initiatives. His presentation offered a vision for the future development of Binh Dan Hospital’s Robotic Surgery Center while introducing Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital’s accumulated experience in robotic surgery, research, and AI-driven healthcare transformation.

“The signing of this MOU marks an important milestone in strengthening academic and clinical cooperation between our two institutions, particularly by creating an opportunity to further expand exchange and collaboration in robotic surgery,” President Lee said.

“Through continued exchange and cooperation, we will work together to advance both institutions and provide better healthcare services for our patients,” he added.

Binh Dan Hospital: Advancing Robotic Surgery in Vietnam

Established in 1954, Binh Dan Hospital is a major public hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. It has developed strong capabilities in complex surgery and specialized care, particularly in general surgery, urology, and andrology.

Since pioneering robotic surgery for adult patients in Vietnam in 2016, the hospital has continued to build clinical experience and expertise in the field. Based on this experience, Binh Dan Hospital is now working to establish itself as a leading center for robotic surgery training and technology transfer.

Source: Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea