The founder of the Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Opportunity to come to the profession

As the person who laid the first bricks to establish the Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Duy Ton was also honored to be appointed as Head of the Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi on May 17, 2022.

Recently, Associate Professor Mai Duy Ton was nominated by the World Stroke Association to be among the outstanding individuals honored in 2022 for his great contributions to the stroke profession in Vietnam and the world.

PGSTS Mai Duy Ton, the founder of the Stroke and Vascular Disease Department, image 1 — Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Duy Ton, the founder of the Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases in Vietnam (photo source: Bach Mai Hospital).

2007 was a memorable milestone in the career of Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Duy Ton, currently Director of the Stroke Center - Bach Mai Hospital, Head of the Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy - Vietnam National University, Hanoi. At that time, he was a resident physician at the A9 Emergency Department - Bach Mai Hospital.

This was the first time he went abroad to study at the Mayo Clinic in the US and it was after this trip that he decided to do in-depth research on Stroke.

Associate Professor Ton shared: In Vietnam, medical students at that time shook their heads whenever they saw a stroke patient, seeing no chance of saving their life, the patient's life almost stopped, if not death then almost disabled, very difficult to recover.

Coming to America, I realized that their healthcare system is more developed than I imagined, especially the rate of stroke patients receiving emergency care, good treatment and few sequelae.

They apply many specialized techniques in the field of stroke, helping to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life of patients.

Treatment for stroke patients not only takes place during the patient's hospital stay but also continues after the patient is discharged.

All patients, including the elderly, must be independent, without family support like in Vietnam. They must all practice rehabilitation, learn to take care of themselves from the smallest things.

Since then, I have been determined to learn advanced techniques in the field of stroke in the world to apply in Vietnam, bringing opportunities to many stroke patients in the country.

Based on that awareness, he proposed to the leaders of A9 Emergency Center to conduct in-depth research on stroke.

Since 2009, thrombolysis has been applied to stroke patients with spectacular results.

Many patients were treated promptly, after 1 hour of using the medicine, they fully recovered, spoke and lived normally, and were discharged from the hospital 1-2 days later.

“The dramatic change in the patient is the motivation for me to continue my in-depth research in this field.

In 2009, I did a PhD on stroke and in 2014 I received a scholarship from the European Stroke Association to study for a master's degree in stroke.

Studying in Austria, I saw that the stroke system was developed on par with the US, and the most advanced techniques were applied. Then, with the support of the Hospital Board of Directors and the A9 Emergency Department, the Stroke Unit (under A9) was established, specializing in treating stroke patients and applying advanced techniques" - Mr. Mai Duy Ton shared.

On November 9, 2020, Bach Mai Hospital established the Stroke Center on the basis of the Stroke Unit of the A9 Emergency Center.

In less than 2 years, the Center has made contributions to Bach Mai Hospital, especially to the national stroke specialty.

Every year, the Center has received and treated a large number of stroke patients in the North. The most specialized techniques are implemented by the Hospital in coordination with related Centers in the Hospital, bringing the best treatment results for patients. This is also a trusted address for foreign patients living and working in Vietnam.

Dedicated to the sick

In his career, Associate Professor Dr. Mai Duy Ton cannot remember how many stroke patients he has saved.

"My point of view is to focus on treating the patient first. Stroke patients need to be treated quickly. We cannot wait for the patient's family to see if they have money to pay the hospital bill or if they have insurance or not.

If the patient does not have money, there will be a way. In cases where the patient does not have money, I call on all colleagues and sponsors to pay, but the benefit is to bring life to the patient," Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Duy Ton shared.

Stroke is currently a topical issue in the world and Vietnam is no exception with the trend of increasingly younger people.

To ensure that stroke patients receive emergency care and good treatment, they need to receive intensive care and treatment for early detection and timely emergency care, treatment to prevent complications, prevent the risk of recurrence and restore function.

In addition to being treated at specialized stroke treatment units, it is also necessary to have highly trained personnel, multidisciplinary coordination according to a standardized process to ensure that patients receive the best care and treatment, minimizing the consequences of stroke.

In response to that need, May 17, 2022, a special day marked the birth of the Department of "Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease" at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Associate Professor, Dr. Mai Duy Ton - Director of Stroke Center, Bach Mai Hospital is honored to be appointed as Head of Department.

The Department has the mission of training future generations of stroke specialists (Oriented Specialists, Specialist 1, Specialist 2, Residents, Masters and PhDs) to further improve the quality of treatment for stroke patients and cerebrovascular diseases.

With a population of 100 million, an estimated 200,000 new stroke patients each year, stroke patient management and monitoring is very important. For stroke patients, time is gold.

Stroke patients need to have the fastest access to medical facilities capable of providing specialized stroke emergency care. It is estimated that Vietnam needs nearly 400 stroke units/centers/departments, but in reality (by 2022) there are only 125 hospitals with stroke departments, meeting only 1/3 of the needs of patients.

Sharing about his future plans, Associate Professor Mai Duy Ton hopes to build many stroke centers/departments in hospitals nationwide so that when stroke patients unfortunately have the closest access, they can use the best treatment methods, avoiding unfortunate disabilities and sequelae.

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