20 years worthy of being the 'flagship' of Western medicine

On that journey, there are not only glory and achievements, but also hardships, challenges, and fierce pandemic years; along with so much dedication, sweat, and silent dedication...

From the early hardships

In April 2025, Can Tho General Hospital is bustling with preparations for the milestone of celebrating its 20th anniversary (May 12, 2005 - May 12, 2025). Standing in front of the hospital's green campus, few people can imagine that this place has gone through so many difficulties and challenges to have the appearance it has today.

Dr. Huynh Thong Em, Director of the Orthopedic Trauma Center, recalled the days when the hospital was first established: "At that time, a group of experienced doctors chose to stay at local hospitals, the rest transferred to Can Tho General Hospital. The team was already thin, there were very few doctors with postgraduate degrees, and there was a lack of equipment, which created many difficulties."

With the same memory, Dr. Cao Thi My Thuy, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, recalled the early days of the department, formerly the Lung - Kidney Department: "When the hospital was established, the department only had 22 people, half of the current number. Therefore, at that stage, recruiting and training staff became an urgent requirement."

- Ảnh 1. — Can Tho Central General Hospital, the final hospital of the Ministry of Health in the Mekong Delta

When everything was still in disarray, on September 26, 2007, the collapse of the Can Tho bridge span occurred, causing shock to the whole country and was a huge challenge for emergency medical work. However, overcoming all limits, together with other medical facilities, the entire hospital unanimously "jumped into the fight", fighting for every breath for the victims, helping many people return to life.

By 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, and the hospital became an important frontline when the Ministry of Health's 12th National Intensive Care Center for Covid-19 treatment was established at the hospital. But it was also in these difficulties that ECMO, the last "salvation" for critical cases, became a routine technique; the entire hospital's medical system was also further honed in its mettle and expertise.

Master difficult techniques step by step

During the period 2008-2010, Can Tho General Hospital gradually stabilized its machinery and continued to identify the human factor as the key. "From that time on, the hospital proactively cooperated with medical universities to organize on-site postgraduate training. At the same time, it created all conditions for doctors to study in countries with advanced medicine such as Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan...", said Dr. Nguyen Minh Nghiem, Deputy Director of the hospital.

This is also a period that marks the great efforts of the previous board of directors in seeking support from the Ministry of Health and self-sufficient resources to invest in modern medical equipment and expand infrastructure. A series of state-of-the-art equipment such as DSA system, echocardiography machine, extracorporeal circulation machine, CT Scan machine, MRI... were brought in, gradually opening up new opportunities in treatment.

By 2017, the largest and most modern Cardiovascular Center in the Mekong Delta region was established under the hospital, including the departments of Internal Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. The Center has quickly affirmed its key role in the treatment of complex cardiovascular diseases in the Mekong Delta.

By 2020, the Stroke Department was officially established, and just 3 years later, it achieved Platinum certification for stroke treatment from the World Stroke Organization (WSO). Also in 2020, the Orthopedic Trauma Center was established, with 3 specialties: Spinal Surgery - Trauma, Endoscopic Surgery and Joint Replacement Surgery - Orthopedic Oncology. After only 5 years, the center has performed thousands of surgeries, including many advanced techniques.

By 2024, the hospital will continue to make important progress by successfully implementing kidney transplant techniques, becoming the 26th organ transplant center in the country. In early 2025, the new treatment area will be completed and put into operation, relocating and reducing the load on some specialties; continuing to open up new opportunities for many specialized techniques.

- Ảnh 2. — Many specialized techniques, most recently kidney transplantation, have been successfully performed at Can Tho Central General Hospital.

Firmly entering the new era

After 20 years of establishment and development, from 804 initial staff, Can Tho General Hospital now has 1,487 officers and employees, including 430 doctors, with 65.55% having postgraduate training. The regime, policies, and income of civil servants and employees are also raised day by day.

As the final hospital of the Ministry of Health in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho General Hospital currently receives from 2,000 to 2,500 outpatients per day. The number of inpatients also fluctuates from 1,500 to 1,700 per day.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairwoman of Can Tho City People's Committee, commented: "The tireless efforts of the medical staff have built a strong Can Tho General Hospital. This not only contributes to reducing the burden on the upper level, supporting the lower level but also improves access to specialized medical services for people in the Mekong Delta."

Sharing with all the hospital's staff and workers, Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Director of Can Tho General Hospital, expressed: "As the hospital gradually grows, we become more deeply aware of our responsibilities. From basic treatment techniques, the hospital has successfully performed many difficult and specialized techniques, bringing life and hope to many people. All of these are not only our own achievements, but also the result of joint efforts, collective intelligence and dedication. And above all, what makes us most proud is the humanistic values that the hospital has been building."

Can Tho General Hospital will certainly continue its pioneering mission, constantly innovating and developing. To help people in the West not have to go far but still enjoy the quintessence of medicine and be worthy of being the place where people in the delta place their trust.

According to the orientation, Can Tho Central General Hospital strives to be qualified for special status by 2025; soon deploy liver transplant techniques; establish units such as pediatrics - neonatology, pediatric heart surgery, endoscopy center... In addition, continue to apply science and technology and artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment; expand the hospital and be ready to receive Can Tho Central Orthopedic Trauma Hospital.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/20-nam-xung-dang-la-la-co-dau-cua-y-te-mien-tay-185250428153811875.htm