Saigon Medical Group Partners with Harvard Business School’s FIELD Global Capstone 2026

As part of the FIELD Global Capstone 2026 – Harvard Business School’s global immersion program – Saigon Medical Group (MSG) partnered with Harvard MBA talents to explore one of the fastest-growing public health challenges in Vietnam: school myopia in children.

A Vietnamese Challenge in the Context of Global Research

In Vietnam, school myopia has become one of the most concerning health issues among students. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 51% of children in Hanoi are affected by refractive errors, of which 37.5% are myopic. In Ho Chi Minh City, the figure exceeds 75%, with nearly 53% of children experiencing myopia. Across the region, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 80–90% of children in Asia, including Vietnam, could become myopic by 2050.

In response to this growing concern, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has launched the RAAB 2026 program (Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness), while also encouraging the ophthalmology sector to shift from isolated treatment to comprehensive care, from hospital dependency to community-based healthcare, and from late intervention to early detection and continuous management. For school myopia, this signals the need for a holistic approach – requiring proactive collaboration among specialized healthcare providers, the education system, and Vietnamese families.

Against this backdrop, Saigon Medical Group (MSG) – operator of the Sai Gon Eye Hospital System and Cao Thang Eye Hospital, both equipped with specialized Myopia Control Centers – chose to bring this issue into international academic dialogue through Harvard Business School’s FIELD Global Capstone 2026 program.

FIELD Global Capstone – A Global Academic Experience by Harvard Business School

FIELD Global Capstone is a field-based component of Harvard Business School’s MBA program, bringing together Harvard MBA talents to implement projects across cities worldwide each year. The program is designed as an immersive academic experience where Harvard MBA participants collaborate with global partners to study context-driven and socially significant challenges unique to each country.

MSG is honored to be one of the FIELD Global Capstone Project Partners, joining organizations across multiple countries and cities in hosting Harvard MBA talents.

Saigon Medical Group is also proud to become the first ophthalmology healthcare system in Vietnam to serve as a FIELD Global Capstone Project Partner of Harvard Business School, centered around a critical community question:

How can millions of Vietnamese parents better understand that myopia control in children is a long-term healthcare journey requiring prevention, monitoring, and continuous management – rather than simply “wearing glasses”?

To explore this question, the Harvard MBA research delegation conducted field studies at MSG member hospitals, including the Myopia Control Centers at Sai Gon Ngo Gia Tu Eye Hospital and Cao Thang Eye Hospital. The delegation also participated in school eye-screening CSR programs at Doan Ket Secondary School (Phu Lam Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) and Nguyen Hien Secondary School (Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) – where the realities of myopia control are experienced firsthand within Vietnamese school communities.

The Harvard MBA research delegation experienced a school-based CSR program on myopia control in collaboration with Cao Thang Eye Hospital at Nguyen Hien Secondary School.

And at Doan Ket Secondary School, in collaboration with Sai Gon Ngo Gia Tu Eye Hospital.

Shaping a Meaningful Long-Term Journey

MSG’s participation in Harvard Business School’s FIELD Global Capstone program is grounded in three core value pillars.

Healthcare Stewardship – Putting Community Health at the Center

As one of Vietnam’s leading ophthalmology healthcare systems, MSG brings the issue of school myopia into international dialogue – to learn together, conduct research together, and identify more suitable solutions for Vietnamese children. For MSG, myopia control is not only a matter of treatment, but also a long-term responsibility toward future generations.

Open-minded Innovation – Rethinking Innovation to Create Community Impact

Through its collaboration with Harvard Business School, MSG gains access to global innovative thinking around an issue deeply affecting Vietnamese children – parental awareness and behavior in myopia control. This reflects how MSG expands the role of a specialized healthcare system – not only through clinical capabilities, but also through proactive investment in community education and long-term social impact solutions.

Knowledge Ecosystem – Connecting Vietnamese Knowledge with the Global Academic Network

This partnership provides MSG with opportunities to gradually apply international standards in management, operations, and patient care – moving toward a modern ophthalmology ecosystem where global standards are translated into practical value tailored to Vietnamese patients.

Sharing the significance of the initiative, Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Saigon Medical Group, stated:

“Partnering with Harvard Business School in FIELD Global Capstone 2026 clearly reflects the direction Saigon Medical Group is pursuing – proactively connecting Vietnam’s public healthcare challenges with global perspectives and ways of thinking.

For us, integration is not simply about accessing international models, but about having the confidence and capability to bring Vietnam’s real-world challenges into dialogue with the world – to learn together, conduct research together, and collaboratively find more suitable solutions for Vietnamese people.

We believe that a healthcare organization aiming for sustainable growth requires not only professional expertise, but also open-minded thinking, a spirit of innovation, and a strong sense of responsibility toward the community. That is also how MSG chooses to grow – proactively, with depth, and always placing people at the center.”

Representatives from Harvard Business School and Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sai Gon Medical Group, presented certificates of appreciation in recognition of the partnership.

A Foundation for Long-Term Commitment

Alongside its regional general hospitals in Central Vietnam, Saigon Medical Group currently operates two specialized ophthalmology brands – the Sai Gon Eye Hospital System and Cao Thang Eye Hospital – both equipped with specialized Myopia Control Centers that provide comprehensive screening, control, and management solutions for childhood myopia in accordance with international standards.

Partnering with Harvard Business School marks an important milestone. MSG’s long-term mission is to continue investing in a comprehensive myopia control ecosystem, accompanying Vietnamese parents in protecting the vision of future generations.

Because for every child, vision is not only about eyesight – it is also connected to learning ability, confidence, and future opportunities. And MSG’s mission is to help protect all of these.