Posted: 20 March 2008
Tnaiste Brian Cowen turns sod on UCD virus lab in Hanoi
Following the visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dun to UCD on 10 March, the Tnaiste returned the visit on behalf of the Irish Government and attended a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction of the Ireland Vietnam blood-borne Virus Initiative (IVVI) laboratory in Hanoi on St Patrick’s Day – 17 March 2008.
The laboratory is being built by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) with US$7.75mil support from the Ireland-Viet Nam Blood-borne Virus Initiative (IVV), University College, Dublin, and the Atlantic Philanthropies. The initiative stems from work undertaken by Professor Bill Hall and includes graduate training programmes in diagnostic virology for Vietnamese students at the UCD National Virus Reference Laboratory in Dublin.
Pictured far right: Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dun (right)
receiving Tánaiste and Minister of Finance, Mr Brian Cowen
Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quan Huan said the initiative was aimed at building up institutional capacity and infrastructure within Vietnam to enhance public health policies.
"The Ministry of Health will do whatever it can to ensure the success of this important programme," said Huan.
Construction of the sophisticated laboratory will be managed by the US-based East Meets West Foundation. It will contain seven distinct fully equipped laboratories - all accredited to the highest European standards.
It will also involve a major epidemiological study of blood-borne virus infections in different regions of Vietnam.
"The Ireland-Viet Nam Virus Initiative involves experts from both sides building capacity in Vietnam to analyse and respond effectively to major blood-borne epidemics, including HIV and hepatitis, that threaten development," said Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Brian Cowen.
The NIHE's director, Nguyen Tran Hien, said the project would not only help the institute become the leading one in Vietnam, but the top-ranking one in the region.
During his meeting with the Tnaiste, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung vowed to speed up Vietnam - Ireland projects in economy, trade, investment, education and training.
Dung was emphasising co-operation between the two countries based on agreements' signed during his recent visit to Ireland. He thanked Ireland for its aid in development for the next three years. He also confirmed that Vietnam would work with Ireland in effectively managing development projects.
(Source: Viet Nam News)
