The Canadian fund Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) on Jan 10 announced a primary CAD7.7 million CAD ($7.2 million) aid to 22 mental healthcare projects worldwide, including one in Vietnam. Funded by the Canadian government, GCC seeks affordable innovations to augment and amplify relatively the meagre existing help available to mental health and brain disorder patients across the globe. The Vancouver-based Simon Fraser University will receive funding for a project to pilot low-cost and enhanced primary healthcare services in Vietnam for depression. There is also a longer-term, scalable aim to train primary healthcare providers in mental healthcare delivery. Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine said he hopes the project will contribute to enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Vietnam in general, and mental health in particular. (vov.vn Jan 11)
