Central Maternity Hospital: 70 years of cherishing life and creating miracles

Over the past 70 years, the Central Maternity Hospital has been present in the memories of millions of people in the quietest but most intimate and profound way, from the moment of welcoming the first baby into the arms of their parents.

There are places that when mentioned, in the memory of many people suddenly slow down a beat, because there are many lives that begin, a hope is given and a love is filled completely. The Central Maternity Hospital is such a place - a place that sows the seeds of life for countless people, many generations of Vietnamese people.

Over the past 70 years, this place has been present in the memories of millions of people in the quietest but most intimate and profound way, from the moment of welcoming the first baby into the arms of its parents, the emotional eyes of mothers after the journey of giving birth... to the pride of multi-generational families born here.

Continuing the traditional flame

The year 2025 marks a special milestone, the 70th anniversary of the establishment and development of the Central Obstetrics Hospital, the leading unit in obstetrics and gynecology, neonatology, reproductive support and prenatal diagnosis in Vietnam. Over the past 7 decades, this place has not only been "where life begins" but also a place where knowledge, medical ethics and humanity converge, providing safe care for millions of mothers and children across the country.

The hospital's doctors and nurses diligently treat newborns and pregnant women every day, every month, every year. In 2024, doctors at the Central Obstetrics Hospital performed more than 410,000 examinations, nearly 70,000 inpatient treatments, tens of thousands of surgeries, deliveries and fetal medical interventions.

Over the past 7 decades, this place has not only been "where life begins" but also a place where knowledge, medical ethics and humanity converge.

With more than 1.1 million tests, 300,000 ultrasounds and nearly 170,000 assisted reproductive procedures each year, the hospital's diagnostic system operates with the region's leading capacity and accuracy. Over the years, the hospital has applied the most advanced techniques to help diagnose fetal abnormalities early, screen for gynecological cancers, and detect abnormalities from the first week of pregnancy - providing the best chance of survival and treatment for thousands of pregnant women.

From the early days of many difficulties, the Central Obstetrics Hospital was led by big names in the industry such as Professor Dinh Van Thang, Professor Nguyen Thi Xiem, Professor Nguyen Can or Professor Duong Thi Cuong to the next generations such as Professor Nguyen Duc Vy, Professor Nguyen Viet Tien, or recently Associate Professor Vu Ba Quyet, Professor Tran Danh Cuong and now Professor Nguyen Duy Anh - each person is a milestone, an indelible mark in the hospital's brilliant development journey.

Professor Nguyen Duy Anh - Director of the Central Maternity Hospital. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

Professor Nguyen Duy Anh - Director of the Central Obstetrics Hospital shared that today's achievements are the crystallization of many generations of previous doctors, who have silently cultivated and passed on not only solid expertise but also profound medical ethics. That is what has created a Central Obstetrics Hospital worthy of the national end-line level, with the aspiration to reach far, approaching the advanced medical standards of the region and the world .

“I believe that today's and future generations will continue the traditional flame, turning the hospital into a modern obstetrics and gynecology center - where patients receive comprehensive care with the best, newest and most humane techniques,” Professor Nguyen Duy Anh emphasized.

Leading the trend, paving the way for modern medicine

During the 70-year journey of construction and development, the Central Maternity Hospital has clearly defined its key specialized fields, in which the Neonatal Center is a prominent highlight, a place where high expertise, modern technology and the compassionate hearts of those working in the profession of "keeping the fire of life" converge.

The hospital’s doctors and nurses not only save lives but also give the weakest babies a healthy start. At the Neonatal Care and Treatment Center – considered the last line of life – every day is a battle for the lives of premature, underweight, and congenitally deformed babies…

The Neonatal Center (Central Maternity Hospital) provides health care and treatment for newborn-related issues, from postnatal care to treatment of special diseases. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

With modern technology, personalized care processes and a team of leading experts, the center has saved hundreds of newborns who were once given very poor prognoses. The miracles that the hospital's doctors have achieved, such as saving the lives of 400g babies (the lightest in Vietnam), 500g-600g twins born at 25 weeks of gestation, or newborns born to mothers with COVID-19, terminal cancer... have become special milestones in Vietnamese medicine.

The Central Obstetrics Hospital is the first and only unit in Vietnam to successfully apply the non-invasive Surfactant injection technique (LISA/MIST, INSURE) for extremely premature infants (under 1,000g). From a challenging technique, it has now become a routine treatment method at the hospital with more than 2,955 newborns successfully treated. The survival rate of infants under 1,000g increased from 28% (2017) to 85% (2024).

The miracles that the hospital's doctors have performed include saving the lives of 400g babies (the lightest in Vietnam), 500g-600g twins born at 25 weeks of pregnancy, or newborn babies from mothers with COVID-19, terminal cancer...

Along with neonatology, hospitals are also places that strongly apply artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine: embryo analysis (in IVF), fetal imaging diagnosis, preeclampsia prognosis... to improve treatment accuracy and effectiveness.

In the field of stem cells, more than 3,000 umbilical cord tissue samples have been successfully stored. The center aims to deploy stem cell isolation technology according to AABB standards (USA), opening up great prospects in future regenerative treatment.

The year 2025 marks a special milestone, the 70th anniversary of the establishment and development of the Central Maternity Hospital.

Not only mastering the techniques, the hospital also plays a role in transferring and training more than 40 provincial hospitals in the work of Line Leadership, expanding the impact of modern medicine to all regions of the country. There are over 10,000 students from more than 7 medical and pharmaceutical universities practicing each year; Nearly 2,500 provincial officials are trained and coached in depth; More than 300 remote consultation sessions through the Telemedicine system, connecting 63 provinces and cities. These efforts help reduce the rate of referrals, reduce maternal and newborn deaths, and at the same time improve the professional capacity of the entire obstetrics and pediatrics health system of the country.

As the last line in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the hospital has made great strides, constantly innovating in the application of science and technology, improving diagnosis, treatment and training of medical personnel nationwide. Each achievement is not only the pride of the hospital, but also contributes to creating a new look for the maternal and newborn health care system in Vietnam.

Video of 70 years of development of the Central Maternity Hospital:

With its long tradition and outstanding scientific achievements, the Central Obstetrics Hospital is gradually affirming its position as a solid foundation for the Obstetrics and Gynecology sector in Vietnam. In the 70-year journey of cherishing life and reaching for the future, the hospital continues to affirm its mission: "Comprehensive care, quality treatment, for the life and happiness of millions of Vietnamese families"./.

On July 19, 1955, an important administrative milestone was established: Decree No. 615-ZYO/ND/3A signed by Minister of Health Hoang Tich Tri established Hospital C - a simple name, but carrying a great responsibility: taking care of the health of cadres, workers and civil servants.

During the period 1956-1959, although mainly performing internal medicine treatment, the obstetrics department was formed in the organizational structure - the premise for the later specialized obstetrics and gynecology. In the context of the country still divided, fierce war in the South, Hospital C still quietly shouldered the task of taking care of the health of the staff, workers and civil servants, being one of the important medical links serving the construction of the young revolutionary administrative foundation of the Socialist North.

At the end of 1960, to meet the requirements of reorganizing the Central health system, Hospital C was merged into Bach Mai Hospital - a step of downsizing to open up a new direction of development. However, this transition was not simply the end but the beginning of a new form: an independent specialized hospital for obstetrics and gynecology.

The facilities of Hospital C were retained as the foundation for the construction of Hospital C (Maternity) - a specialized medical organization in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology and reproduction. This is a strategic step, demonstrating the long-term vision of the health sector, marking the beginning of the in-depth development of a leading hospital in maternal and newborn health care.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/benh-vien-phu-san-tw-70-nam-nang-niu-su-song-va-kien-tao-nen-nhung-ky-tich-post1050253.vnp