Milestone: 20 kidney transplant cases in the Southwest region of Vietnam.

To date, of the 20 kidney transplant cases at Can Tho Central General Hospital, 15 were related, 3 involved married couples, and 2 involved transplants from brain-dead donors. All patients have shown good progress after transplantation, with stable transplanted kidney function and significantly improved quality of life. Notably, one young patient has welcomed a new member to his family two years after receiving a kidney transplant from his biological father...

Two years after its first successful kidney transplant, Can Tho Central General Hospital received kidney transplant techniques from experts at Cho Ray Hospital and has successfully performed 20 kidney transplants, giving many patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure a new chance at life.

Doctors are performing kidney transplants on patients at Can Tho Central General Hospital.

Since 2021, Can Tho Central General Hospital has begun its journey to bring kidney transplantation techniques to the Southwestern region of Vietnam. From the early days of receiving the kidney transplantation technology transfer, the hospital has made a persistent effort, sending teams for training. Specifically, the hospital has successively sent 18 doctors and 21 nurses and technicians for training in surgery, internal medicine, anesthesia and resuscitation, and post-transplant care and treatment. Simultaneously, the hospital has strengthened its infrastructure to meet the stringent requirements of the Ministry of Health 's kidney transplantation procedures, especially the coordinated efforts between multiple specialties.

By January 31, 2024, Can Tho Central General Hospital was officially recognized by the Ministry of Health as qualified to perform kidney transplantation from living donors and brain-dead donors (Decision 240/QD-BYT). On April 25, 2024, more than 20 doctors and medical staff from Can Tho Central General Hospital, including teams for kidney retrieval, kidney washing, and transplantation, coordinated seamlessly with the direct support of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thai Minh Sam (Head of Urology Department, Cho Ray Hospital) and the Cho Ray Hospital team, successfully performed the first kidney transplant at the hospital and in the Mekong Delta region, much to the joy of both hospitals. This is an important milestone, marking a significant development in the field of organ transplantation in the Southwest region of Vietnam.

All kidney transplant patients have had good outcomes, with stable transplanted kidney function and significantly improved quality of life.

Notably, on November 12, 2025, Can Tho Central General Hospital received the organ donation request from the family of a brain-dead patient who died in a traffic accident, after 8 days of intensive treatment. Previously, on November 4, 2025, Mr. LMP (born in 1990, 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 poor prognosis: Glasgow score of only 5, low blood pressure, respiratory failure, and severe multiple injuries. Doctors urgently resuscitated him, intubated him, and held interdisciplinary consultations, seeking 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 score of 3), and there was no hope of saving him.

Traffic police from Can Tho City Police Department assisted in escorting organs to Can Tho airport for transport to Hanoi.

After doctors explained Mr. P.'s condition, his family, despite their immense grief at knowing they could not save him, made an incredibly noble decision – agreeing 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.

Immediately following the family's decision, Can Tho Central General Hospital reported to the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center and 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. An expanded consultation was held with experts from Cho Ray Hospital, Military Central Hospital 108, National Children's Hospital, and the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center.

A team of medical professionals paid tribute to the organ donor before performing the organ harvesting surgery.

After hours of expert consultation, the organ harvesting surgery was scheduled for 10:30 AM on November 13, 2025. Under the coordination of the National Organ Transplant Center, more than 40 doctors from Cho Ray Hospital, Military Central Hospital 108, National Children's Hospital, Can Tho Central General Hospital, etc., worked seamlessly to harvest organs in the following order: heart, liver, kidney, cornea…

The organ harvesting process was precise down to the second. Six organs were successfully harvested, immediately embarking 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 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 support of the Can Tho City Traffic Police Department, heading straight to the airport. A Vietnam Airlines flight traveled over 2,000 km, carrying the heart and liver, still warm with the breath of the donor, to continue saving lives.

To date, of the 20 kidney transplant cases, 15 were related, 3 involved married couples, and 2 involved transplants from brain-dead donors. Encouragingly, all patients have shown good progress after transplantation, with stable kidney function and significantly improved quality of life. Notably, one young patient has welcomed a new member to his family two years after receiving a kidney transplant from his biological father.

According to Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu, Director of Can Tho Central General Hospital, for patients, kidney transplantation is not simply a treatment method, but an opportunity to live a new life. From days of being dependent on dialysis machines, their lives limited by illness, they can now return to normal activities, work, and care for their families. Each successful transplant is the result of modern medical technology, the culmination of the intelligence, experience, and sense of responsibility of an entire team. Each transplant is a story full of emotion, family love, compassion, where life is continued through noble acts...

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/dau-an-20-ca-ghep-than-tai-tay-nam-bo-i804585/