There are places that, when mentioned, evoke a momentary pause in many people's memories, because so much life has begun there, so much hope has been given, and so much love has been fully expressed. The National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is one such place – a place that has sown the seeds of life for countless people, for generations of Vietnamese.
For the past 70 years, this place has been present in the memories of millions of people in the quietest yet most deeply connected and profound way, from the moment the first baby was welcomed into the arms of its parents, the emotional gaze of mothers after childbirth… to the pride of families with generations born here.
Continuing the legacy of tradition
The year 2025 marks a special milestone: the 70th anniversary of the establishment and development of the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, the leading institution in obstetrics, gynecology, neonatology, assisted reproductive technology, and prenatal diagnosis in Vietnam. For seven decades, it has not only been "where life begins" but also a place where knowledge, medical ethics, and compassion converge, providing safe care for millions of mothers and children across the country.
The doctors and nurses at the hospital diligently treat newborns and pregnant women day after day, month after month, year after year. In 2024, doctors at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital performed over 410,000 outpatient visits, nearly 70,000 inpatient treatments, and tens of thousands of surgeries, deliveries, and fetal medical interventions.
For the past seven decades, this place has not only been "where life begins" but also a convergence point of knowledge, medical ethics, and human compassion.
With over 1.1 million tests, 300,000 ultrasounds, and nearly 170,000 assisted reproductive procedures annually, the hospital's diagnostic system operates with leading capacity and accuracy in the region. 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 thousands of pregnant women with the best chance of survival and treatment.
From its early days of hardship and challenges, the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital has been led by prominent figures in the field such as Professor Dinh Van Thang, Professor Nguyen Thi Siem, Professor Nguyen Can, and Professor Duong Thi Cuong, to succeeding generations like Professor Nguyen Duc Vy, Professor Nguyen Viet Tien, and more recently Associate Professor Vu Ba Quyet, Professor Tran Danh Cuong, and currently Professor Nguyen Duy Anh - each a milestone, an indelible mark in the hospital's brilliant development journey.
Professor Nguyen Duy Anh - Director of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)
Professor Nguyen Duy Anh, Director of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, shared that today's achievements are the culmination of generations of doctors who have silently nurtured and passed on not only solid professional expertise but also profound medical ethics. This is what has made the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital a worthy national-level hospital, with the aspiration to reach further and approach the advanced medical standards of the region and the world .
"I believe that today's and future generations will continue the tradition, transforming the hospital into a modern obstetrics and gynecology center – where patients receive comprehensive care using the best, newest, and most humane techniques," Professor Nguyen Duy Anh emphasized.
Leading the trend, paving the way for modern medicine.
Throughout its 70-year journey of construction and development, the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital has clearly defined its specialized areas of expertise, with the Neonatal Center being a prominent highlight. This center is a convergence of high professional expertise, modern technology, and the compassionate hearts of those who "keep the flame of life alive."
The doctors and nurses at the hospital not only save lives but also give even the weakest babies a healthy start in life. At the Neonatal Care and Treatment Center – considered the last resort for survival – every day is a battle to save the lives of premature, underweight babies with congenital defects…
The Neonatal Center (National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital) provides healthcare and treatment for issues related to newborns, from postpartum care to treatment of special medical conditions. (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)
Using modern techniques, personalized care procedures, and a team of leading experts, the center has saved hundreds of newborns whose prognoses were previously very poor. The miracles achieved by the hospital's doctors, such as saving a 400g baby (the lightest in Vietnam), twins weighing 500g-600g born at 25 weeks of gestation, or newborns from mothers with COVID-19 or terminal cancer, have become special milestones in Vietnamese medicine.
The National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is the first and only institution in Vietnam to successfully apply the non-invasive Surfactant administration technique (LISA/MIST, INSURE) for extremely premature infants (weighing under 1,000g). From a challenging technique, it has now become a routine treatment method at the hospital, with over 2,955 newborns successfully treated. The survival rate for infants weighing under 1,000g has increased from 28% (2017) to 85% (2024).
The hospital's doctors have performed remarkable feats, such as saving the life of a 400g baby (the lightest in Vietnam), twins weighing 500g-600g born at 25 weeks of gestation, and newborns from mothers with COVID-19 or terminal cancer…
In addition to neonatal care, the hospital also strongly applies artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine: embryo analysis (in IVF), fetal imaging diagnosis, pre-eclampsia prognosis, etc., improving the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.
In the field of stem cells, more than 3,000 umbilical cord tissue samples have been successfully stored. The center aims to implement stem cell isolation technology according to AABB standards (USA), opening up great prospects in future regenerative treatments.
The year 2025 marks a special milestone: the 70th anniversary of the establishment and development of the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
Beyond mastering medical techniques, the hospital also plays a crucial role in transferring and training over 40 provincial hospitals in the field of referral and referral, expanding the impact of modern medicine throughout the country. Over 10,000 trainees from more than 7 medical universities participate in practical training each year; nearly 2,500 provincial-level staff receive intensive training; and over 300 telemedicine consultations are conducted, connecting all 63 provinces and cities. These efforts help reduce referral rates, decrease maternal and neonatal mortality, and enhance the professional capacity of the entire national obstetrics and pediatrics healthcare system.
As a leading institution in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the hospital has made remarkable progress, constantly innovating in the application of science and technology, elevating diagnosis, treatment, and training of medical personnel nationwide. Each achievement is not only a source of pride for the hospital but also contributes to shaping a new image for the maternal and newborn healthcare system in Vietnam.
Video: 70 Years of Development at the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital
With its rich tradition and outstanding scientific achievements, the National Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital is gradually affirming its position as a solid foundation for the Vietnamese obstetrics and gynecology sector. In its 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, a significant 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 one carrying a great responsibility: providing healthcare for cadres, workers, and civil servants.
During the period 1956-1959, although primarily focusing on internal medicine treatment, the obstetrics department was established within its organizational structure – a precursor to the later specialized field of obstetrics and gynecology. In the context of a divided country and fierce warfare in the South, Hospital C quietly shouldered the responsibility of providing healthcare for cadres, workers, and civil servants, serving as a crucial medical link in the construction of the fledgling revolutionary administration of the Socialist North.
In late 1960, to meet the requirements of reorganizing the central healthcare system, Hospital C was merged into Bach Mai Hospital – a streamlined move to open up a new direction for development. However, this transfer was not simply an end, but the beginning of a new form: an independent specialized obstetrics and gynecology hospital.
The facilities of Hospital C were retained as the foundation for building Hospital C (Obstetrics) – a specialized medical organization for obstetrics, gynecology, and reproduction. This is a strategic step, demonstrating the long-term vision of the healthcare sector, marking the beginning of a journey towards the in-depth development of a leading hospital in maternal and newborn healthcare.
(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
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