The Development of Electromyography (EMG) Techniques and the Establishment of the Vietnam Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (VANEM) in Vietnam.
In 1993, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Cong introduced the first EMG technique at Vietnam Military Hospital 175 and began providing specialized training for doctors and nurses in need. Doctors Nguyen Cong Doan (1994), Vo Thi Hien Hanh (1995), and Le Tu Quoc Tuan (1997) were the first trainees in the electromyography department under the Functional Diagnosis Department of Military Hospital 175.
In 1997, Cho Ray Hospital received a donated used EMG machine from an American professor and began implementing basic EMG techniques. Subsequently, numerous locations in Vietnam started adopting electromyography diagnostic techniques. About ten years later (2013), electromyography diagnostic techniques were implemented in various locations across the country, including Hanoi (Bach Mai Hospital, Military Hospital 103, Military Hospital 108), Central Vietnam (National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue Central Hospital), and South Vietnam (Cho Ray Hospital, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, People’s Hospital 115, Can Tho Central Hospital).
Recognizing the strong development of the electromyography field nationwide and the need to promote and popularize electromyography techniques and the peripheral nervous system disorders and muscle pathology specialty, at the end of 2014, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Cong, Specialist Doctor II Le Minh, together with their trainees, including Doctor Le Tu Quoc Tuan, Doctor Vo Don, and Doctor Nguyen Le Trung Hieu, initiated the establishment of the Vietnam Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (VANEM). On January 21, 2015, the Chairman of the Vietnamese Neurological Association decided to establish VANEM as a recognized subsidiary association.
Since its establishment on August 22, 2015, VANEM has organized numerous scientific activities on neuromuscular diseases and advanced electromyography techniques throughout the country. They have also conducted training courses on electromyography and neuromuscular diseases.
