Long Châu và Santen chung tay chăm sóc, điều trị các bệnh lý về mắt cho người Việt

Ahead of World Sight Day on October 8, FPT Long Chau and Japan’s Santen Pharmaceutical have officially established a comprehensive strategic partnership, charting a new course for holistic eye care and vision protection in Vietnam. By combining Santen’s 136 years of specialized ophthalmology expertise with Long Chau’s extensive community pharmacy network and digital healthcare reach, the two organizations aim to bring advanced eye care solutions directly to local neighborhoods, fostering proactive and sustainable vision health management nationwide.

Strategic Alliance to Elevate National Eye Health

The official signing ceremony took place in late September, drawing prominent figures from both corporate landscapes, including Mr. Tomoyuki Yoshida, President and CEO of Santen Asia; Mr. Nguyen Minh Phuc, General Director of Santen Vietnam; and Ms. Nguyen Do Quyen, Deputy CEO of FPT Retail and Managing Director of FPT Long Chau, alongside members of the executive boards and national press representatives.

This alliance mirrors the broader, strengthening bilateral ties between Vietnam and Japan, where innovation, scientific cooperation, and digital transformation serve as core pillars of development. By bridging the resources of leading enterprises in critical sectors like healthcare, both entities seek to elevate public health standards and deliver tangible, long-term value to communities across the country.

With Santen’s century-old heritage in ophthalmic research and Long Chau’s expansive footprint—operating nearly 2,700 community pharmacies and vaccination centers across 34 provinces and cities—the partnership is uniquely positioned to drive grassroots education, raise public awareness, and expand access to high-quality therapeutic solutions.

Mr. Tomoyuki Yoshida emphasized the milestone during his keynote address, noting that the collaboration signifies a shared, enduring commitment to improving eye health outcomes in Vietnam. "For 136 years, Santen has dedicated its heart and expertise to ophthalmology, with a mission to enhance happiness and quality of life through vision care while pursuing sustainable growth," Mr. Yoshida stated. "Vietnam remains a vital market for Santen, and we are firmly committed to contributing to heightened public eye health awareness and accessibility to advanced care solutions for the Vietnamese people."

Echoing this sentiment, Ms. Nguyen Do Quyen underscored Long Chau’s role as an accessible healthcare bridge for local communities. Serving over 36 million loyal customers—representing roughly one-third of Vietnam’s population—Long Chau has evolved beyond a conventional dispensary into a trusted primary health touchpoint.

"Through this comprehensive strategic alliance, we aim to expand community health education programs, enhance clinical counseling, and support the early detection of ocular abnormalities," Ms. Quyen noted. "Looking ahead, Long Chau and Santen will roll out the ‘Doctor In Store’ initiative, bringing medical professionals directly to our pharmacies to provide free consultations and vision screenings. We are committed to walking alongside our partner with knowledge and heart to build a bright-eyed, healthy Vietnam."

Growing Public Health Challenges and the Need for Early Intervention

The urgency of this partnership is underscored by alarming national statistics regarding vision health. According to surveys conducted by the Vietnam National Eye Hospital, myopia rates among school-aged children reach 51% in Hanoi and surge to 75.6% in Ho Chi Minh City. Nationwide, an estimated 3 to 5 million children aged 5 to 15 suffer from uncorrected refractive errors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued stark warnings that without effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, the prevalence of myopia among Vietnamese children could escalate to 90% by 2050. Public health experts emphasize that pediatric visual impairments are no longer isolated clinical challenges but major public health crises that require systematic screening, continuous monitoring, and early intervention.

To combat these trends, Long Chau and Santen are deploying multi-channel health education campaigns designed to equip citizens with accurate medical knowledge and encourage proactive self-care. Renowned ophthalmologists and specialists will collaborate on these programs, providing evidence-based insights into common ocular conditions, early warning signs, and proper vision hygiene.

Crucially, the partnership places a heavy emphasis on capacity-building for community pharmacists. As part of the signing event, hundreds of Long Chau pharmacists participated in specialized training sessions led by senior medical experts, such as Master and Specialist Doctor Level I Nguyen Dinh Cang from the Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, focusing on the identification and preliminary management of common ophthalmic symptoms encountered in retail pharmacy settings. This continuous professional standardization ensures that community pharmacists can serve as knowledgeable, dependable frontline guardians of public eye health.

Expanding a Proven Collaborative Framework

This strategic partnership builds upon a successful precedent established earlier in the year. In March 2026, Long Chau and Santen jointly launched a nationwide screening initiative titled "Screening for Dry Eye and Eye Care in Technologically Intensive Environments."

Data gathered during the initial phase revealed that approximately 75% of survey participants exhibited varying degrees of dry eye symptoms, with the vast majority falling within the active workforce demographic of 18 to 40 years old. This widespread prevalence highlights the correlation between prolonged digital device usage and modern ocular health issues.

Building on this momentum, the newly expanded strategic framework operates under a clear, tripartite doctrine: prioritizing prevention, grounding initiatives in science, and placing the patient at the center of service delivery. Santen contributes its deep clinical expertise and advanced pharmacological innovations, while Long Chau leverages its extensive physical infrastructure, 22,000 healthcare professionals, and robust digital technology platforms.

Together, the two organizations are forging a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that aligns with national public health directives, including Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Government Resolution 282/NQ-CP. By combining corporate resources with clinical excellence, Long Chau and Santen are establishing a scalable model for public-private cooperation that addresses critical healthcare gaps and fosters lasting improvements in the quality of life for millions of Vietnamese citizens.