Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Ministry of Health and ABLE and FASE discussed on the detox sauna program by HUBBARD method.

Attending the working session were Dr. Pham Xuan Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; Dr. Vuong Anh Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, Ministry of Health; Mr. Keith Miller, President of FASE (Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education); Mr. Robert Graves, Senior Scientific Advisor of FASE, expert in the Detoxification Program of ABLE International; Mr. Nguyen Thang Long, Director of the Centre and representatives from relevant agencies.

Dr. Vuong Anh Duong and delegates met with and visited Agent Orange victims from Lao Cai and Dien Bien provinces who were participating in the sauna program at the Centre.

 Reporting at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thang Long stated that since its operation began in March 2016, the Centre has been providing detox sauna delivery by HUBBARD method to 3,106 war veterans and 170 volunteers. According to the Center's report, the program has always been safe. 16 types of vitamins and minerals have been used by the Centre based on a protocol transferred by ABLE; the products are mainly imported from the United States with some purchased in Vietnam. 

Dr. Pham Xuan Hung spoke at the working session.

 During the meeting, delegates focused on reviewing the program's implementation process, from professional procedures and deployment conditions to the legal basis of the HUBBARD method. Representatives from the Ministry of Health raised several issues requiring clarification, including the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of the method; they also requested a review and evaluation based on scientific evidence and current regulations.

 Dr. Vuong Anh Duong emphasized the need for thorough research and evaluation of HUBBARD method, including understanding ABLE’s implementation process in various countries. Based on the research results and practical conditions, it is necessary to determine the management and operational direction of the Centre in accordance with legal regulations; research the licensing conditions and the possibility of considering this method within the scope of medical examination and treatment as prescribed.

 Based on practical experience, Mr. Nguyen Thang Long suggested that the Ministry of Health provides support in terms of medical equipment for examining and evaluating the health status of participants before and after the sauna session. He also proposed reviewing and guiding the procedures related to importing high-concentration vitamins and minerals according to the protocol transferred by ABLE, ensuring compliance with the HUBBARD method regulations.

 The meeting provided an opportunity for the parties to frankly exchange views on the practical implementation of the detox sauna program by HUBBARD method at the Centre, while identifying as well issues requiring further research and evaluation regarding professional expertise, legal aspects and implementation conditions. The opinions expressed at the meeting contributed to suggesting directions for future cooperation, aiming to ensure the safety of participants and enhance the effectiveness of support activities for Agent Orange victims.

 Nguyen Manh