On November 14th, Can Tho Central General Hospital (Can Tho Central General Hospital) announced its successful collaboration with the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center and Cho Ray Hospital, Military Central Hospital 108, and National Children's Hospital to retrieve and transport six organs from a brain-dead donor for transplantation to patients awaiting organ transplants.
Doctors observe a moment of gratitude to organ donors before performing surgery.
PHOTO: DUY TAN
Notably, two of the kidneys were used in two kidney transplant surgeries at Can Tho Central General Hospital for patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure. These were the hospital's 15th and 16th kidney transplants (since the first one on April 25, 2024), but the first two organ transplants performed using kidneys from brain-dead donors.
Eight days of fighting for life and making humane decisions.
Previously, on November 4th, Mr. LMP (35 years old, from Soc Trang province, residing in Can Tho city) was transferred to Can Tho Central General Hospital in critical condition after a traffic accident. Mr. P. was admitted with a very serious prognosis: Glasgow score of only 5, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, and multiple severe injuries.
Doctors urgently resuscitated the patient, intubated him, and held a multidisciplinary consultation, exploring every opportunity to save his life. However, after 8 days of intensive treatment, Mr. P.'s condition did not improve. The patient fell into the lowest state of consciousness (Glasgow 3 points), and all hope of saving him was lost.
Despite 8 days of intensive treatment, patient P.'s condition did not improve. The patient fell into the lowest state of consciousness (Glasgow 3 points), and there was no hope of saving their life.
PHOTO: DUY TAN
After doctors explained Mr. P.'s condition, his family, despite the immense pain of knowing they could not save their loved one, made an incredibly noble decision: they agreed to donate Mr. P.'s tissues and organs to save other critically ill patients who were languishing awaiting transplants. This humane act, transcending immense loss, has ignited a flame of hope and opened up opportunities for a new lease on life for many.
Racing against time through the night brings rebirth to other patients.
Immediately following the family's decision, Can Tho Central General Hospital reported to the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center and promptly activated a professional council in coordination with external experts to assess brain death in accordance with legal regulations. At 8 PM on November 12, 2025, the hospital director issued a decision declaring Mr. P. brain dead. Simultaneously, the Intensive Care Unit focused all resources on maintaining the organs in the best possible condition.
The teams quickly transported organs from the brain-dead donor to vehicles for transport to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
PHOTO: DUY TAN
An extensive consultation was held with experts from Cho Ray Hospital, Military Central Hospital 108, National Children's Hospital, and the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center. After many hours of professional consultation, the time for organ harvesting was set: 10:00 AM on November 13, 2025. With the coordination of the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, more than 40 medical staff from Cho Ray Hospital, Military Central Hospital 108, National Children's Hospital, Can Tho Central General Hospital, etc., worked together seamlessly to harvest the organs in the following order: heart, liver, kidney, and cornea.
Traffic police vehicles provided escort for the ambulance transporting the donor's organs to Can Tho airport.
PHOTO: DUY TAN
The organ harvesting process was carried out with minute-by-minute precision. Six organs were successfully harvested and immediately embarked on a journey to save the lives of other critically ill patients. The heart and a portion of the liver were urgently transported to Hanoi for transplantation at the Military Central Hospital 108. The remaining portion of the liver was sent to the National Children's Hospital for transplantation to a child; one cornea was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital; and two kidneys were retained at Can Tho Central General Hospital.
The ambulances carrying the organs sped off with the assistance of Can Tho City traffic police, heading straight to the airport. The Vietnam Airlines flight traveled over 2,000 km, carrying the still-warm heart and liver of the donor... to continue saving lives.
The medical legacy of the Mekong Delta and its miraculous revival.
According to information from Can Tho Central General Hospital, all five organ transplant recipients are currently showing positive progress. The cornea is in the preparation stage for transplantation. A part of Mr. P.'s body is continuing to be reborn within the bodies of others. The hospital has provided full support for the funeral arrangements and transported Mr. P.'s ashes back to his hometown in Soc Trang, fulfilling his family's wishes.
Organs from brain-dead donors are quickly transported by plane to be transplanted in time to save the lives of other critically ill patients.
PHOTO: DUY TAN
Dr. Pham Thanh Phong, Deputy Director of Professional Affairs at Can Tho Central General Hospital, shared: "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the family of the organ donor, who have turned loss into hope for many patients. This act of kindness is invaluable, a foundation for us to continue our mission of saving lives." According to Dr. Phong, this organ donation also holds special significance for the hospital because the donor's two kidneys were used to perform two kidney transplants at Can Tho Central General Hospital for patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure. These are the hospital's 15th and 16th kidney transplants (since the first one on April 25, 2024), but the first two transplants performed using kidneys from a brain-dead donor.
This success marks a significant milestone, a remarkable leap forward in the expertise of Can Tho Central General Hospital in particular and the entire healthcare sector in the Mekong Delta region in general in the field of organ transplantation. It also serves as an important foundation for the hospital to aim towards implementing liver transplantation techniques in the future.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/24-gio-chay-dua-lay-va-ghep-tang-tu-nguoi-hien-chet-nao-dau-tien-o-dbscl-185251114114317801.htm
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