24-hour race to retrieve and transplant organs from the first brain-dead donor in the Mekong Delta

The first organ harvesting and transplant from a brain-dead donor was performed in the Mekong Delta. The organs, still warm with the donor’s breath, were successfully transplanted and are being revived in other bodies.

On November 14, Can Tho Central General Hospital (CBHCT) informed about the successful coordination with the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center and Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, and the National Children's Hospital, to retrieve and transport 6 organ units from a brain-dead donor to transplant to patients waiting for organ transplants.

Doctors take a moment to thank the organ donor before performing surgery.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

Notably, 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 are the first two organ transplants performed from kidneys of brain-dead donors.

8 days of fighting for life and a humane decision

Previously, on November 4, Mr. LMP (35 years old, from Soc Trang , Can Tho City) was transferred to Can Tho Central General Hospital in critical condition after a traffic accident. Mr. P. was admitted to the hospital with a very serious prognosis: Glasgow score of only 5 points, low blood pressure, respiratory failure and severe multiple injuries.

Doctors urgently performed resuscitation, intubation, and multidisciplinary consultation, looking for every opportunity to save the patient's 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 hope of saving his life was gone.

During 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 hope of survival was gone.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

After doctors explained about Mr. P.'s condition, his family, despite the extreme pain of knowing that they could not save their loved one, made an extremely noble decision. That was to agree to donate Mr. P.'s tissues and organs to save the lives of other critically ill patients who were waiting for transplants. This act of humanity, beyond the great loss, lit a flame of hope, opening up the opportunity for revival for many lives.

Race through the night to bring another patient back to life

Immediately after the family's decision, Can Tho Central General Hospital reported to the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center and immediately activated the Professional Council to coordinate with outside experts to assess the brain death status in accordance with legal regulations. At 8:00 p.m. on November 12, 2025, the hospital director issued a decision to determine that Mr. P. was brain dead. At the same time, the Intensive Care Unit focused all resources to maintain the organs in the best condition.

The teams immediately transported the organs from the brain-dead donor to the vehicle to be transported to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

An extensive consultation was held with experts from Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, National Children's Hospital and the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center. After many hours of professional consensus, the time of organ harvesting surgery was set: 10:00 a.m. on November 13, 2025. With the coordination of the national organ transplant center, more than 40 medical staff from Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Military Central Hospital, National Children's Hospital, Can Tho Central General Hospital... coordinated smoothly to harvest organs in the order of heart, liver, kidney, cornea.

Traffic police vehicles help guide ambulances transporting donor organs to Can Tho airport.

PHOTO: DUY TAN

The organ harvesting process was precise down to the minute. 6 organs were successfully harvested and immediately began the journey to bring life to other critically ill patients. Of these, the heart and a part of the liver were urgently transported to Hanoi to be transplanted to a patient at the 108 Military Central Hospital. The remaining part of the liver was taken to the National Children's Hospital to be transplanted to a child; 1 cornea was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital; 2 kidneys were kept at Can Tho Central General Hospital.

The ambulances carrying organs sped away with the support of Can Tho City traffic police, heading straight to the airport. The Vietnam Airlines flight traveled more than 2,000 km, carrying the donor's heart and liver still warm with breath... to continue saving lives.

Mekong Delta medical imprint and miraculous revival

According to information from Can Tho Central General Hospital, up to now, the 5 patients who received organ transplants have all shown positive progress. The cornea is in the preparation stage for transplantation. Part of Mr. P's body seems to be reviving in the bodies of others. The hospital has supported the funeral and brought Mr. P's ashes back to his hometown in Soc Trang according to the family's wishes.

The brain-dead donor's body parts were rushed onto the 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 Can Tho Central General Hospital, shared: "We would like to express our deep gratitude to the family of the organ donor, who turned loss into hope for many patients. That gesture is priceless, the foundation for us to continue our mission of saving lives." According to Dr. Phong, for the hospital, this organ donation also has a very special meaning because the donor's two kidneys were used to perform two kidney transplants right 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 are the first two organ transplants performed from kidneys from brain-dead donors.

This success marks an important milestone, a great step forward in the expertise of Can Tho Central General Hospital in particular and the entire health sector of the Mekong Delta in general in the field of organ transplantation. At the same time, it is also an important premise for the hospital to move towards implementing liver transplantation techniques in the near future.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/24-gio-chay-dua-lay-va-ghep-tang-tu-nguoi-hien-chet-nao-dau-tien-o-dbscl-185251114114317801.htm