Nguyen Cong Luat

Deputy Director, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology

"Australia's support is crucial. Such assistance played a significant role in Vietnam's success in Covid-19 pandemic prevention and control and in accelerating high vaccination coverage. As a result, Vietnam reopened and resumed normal life earlier than many others in the region."

Australia has not only helped advance the professional expertise of Dr Nguyen Cong Luat, but also enhanced his proactive spirit and self-confidence in collaborating and coordinating with international partners. These have been valuable assets for him as he dedicated himself to supporting the receipt, storage and distribution of millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses, including over 26 million doses from Australia.

Dr Nguyen considers himself fortunate to have been awarded two scholarships by the Australian Government, which offered him the opportunity for post-graduate study. He obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Queensland in 2011 and a PhD from Curtin University in 2019.

The Covid-19 pandemic broke out just months after Dr Nguyen obtained his PhD. Returning to his position at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology as Deputy Head of the National Expanded Programme on Immunisation, , he quickly charged ahead and worked day and night managing the receipt, storage, and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to 63 cities and provinces nationwide. He remembered that the workload was overwhelming to the point where he and his colleagues frequently had to work overtime, even on weekends and holidays. "There was no concept of time or regular working hours. Work got done whenever it needed to be done and we often had to go to the airport to receive the vaccines, sometimes as early as 2-3 am or even over the weekend." he recounted. At that time, Vietnam did not have a system for storing vaccines at ultra-low temperatures, so they were tasked with seeking aid for this system.

Luat said that the Australian government is still continuing their support for vaccination and various other healthcare programs in Vietnam.

As a person who chose to pursue preventive healthcare with the belief that this is an effective way to protect the health of millions of people, Luat hopes that Vietnam can continue increasing the investment in preventive healthcare. "There is a significant risk of polio or other diseases re-emerging. Therefore, it is necessary to continue vaccination to maintain what we have achieved and strive for further accomplishments, for example, Vietnam is striving to end measles." - Dr Nguyen.said.