NTO - Prime Minister calls on all Vietnamese people to register to donate organs

On the morning of May 19th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the launching ceremony of the "Register to donate tissues and organs to save lives - Giving is forever" campaign organized by the Ministry of Health, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society , and the Vietnam Association for the Promotion of Tissue and Organ Donation, held at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital (Hanoi).

Also attending were leaders from central ministries and agencies; representatives of political and social organizations; international organizations in Vietnam; religious organizations; and a large number of officials and citizens.

Vietnam started organ transplantation 20 years later than other Southeast Asian countries, but in 2022 and 2023, Vietnam performed over 1,000 transplants annually, including kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplants, becoming the country with the highest number of organ transplants per year in Southeast Asia. However, it still cannot meet the organ transplantation needs of patients. More than 94% of transplanted organs come from living donors, while the source of organs donated after death/brain death is very limited. Currently, only over 86,000 people have registered to donate organs after death, accounting for 0.086% of the population. In contrast, in developed countries, 50-90% of organ donations come from post-death/brain-dead donors.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates launch the "Register to donate tissues and organs - Giving is forever" program. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

Prior to 2023, Vietnam only had 5 hospitals performing brain death diagnosis and organ donation resuscitation, but now it has been implemented in 9 hospitals, including provincial-level hospitals.

The Ministry of Health has directed the establishment of a nationwide network of organ donation hospitals, comprising 68 hospitals. The rate of organ donation from brain-dead individuals increased by 15% in 2023 compared to 2022. In the first four months of 2024, the number of organ donations from brain-dead individuals doubled compared to 2023.

With the aim of encouraging more people to register to donate organs and tissues, the Government has directed the Ministry of Health, the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee, and the Vietnam Association for Organ and Tissue Donation to organize the Launch Ceremony of the "Organ and Tissue Donation Registration to Save Lives" campaign.

Stating that a brain-dead organ donor can save the lives of 8-10 others, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan requested that ministries, departments, political organizations, and socio-political organizations closely coordinate with the Ministry of Health to strengthen propaganda and encourage people to register for organ donation and spread positive values and exemplary examples.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that organ and tissue donation is one of the most precious gifts a person can give to another. In Vietnam, thousands of people have successfully received organ transplants and been saved thanks to the sharing and compassion of noble hearts. The "Organ and Tissue Donation Registration Campaign to Save Lives" is an important event with profound humanitarian significance, reflecting the beautiful cultural traditions of our nation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh launches the "Register to donate tissues and organs - Giving is forever" program. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

According to the Prime Minister, solidarity, mutual support, respect for human values, and a willingness to share and help others are precious traditions of our nation, built, preserved, nurtured, and promoted by generations of Vietnamese people for thousands of years – these are the elements that make up the beauty of the Vietnamese people and the strength of the Vietnamese nation. During his lifetime, the beloved President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Our nation is a nation rich in compassion and benevolence."

The Prime Minister stated that this precious tradition of our nation has been increasingly promoted and spread through countless noble actions, exemplary individuals, and good deeds, from the simplest things in daily life, especially during natural disasters, epidemics, difficulties, and calamities. In particular, this precious tradition is further evidenced by the noble act of donating tissues and organs to save lives, embodying the spirit of "giving is forever," by thousands of people across the country in recent years.

The Prime Minister affirmed that, over the past 30 years, the field of organ transplantation has achieved remarkable progress thanks to three main factors: the encouraging policies and guidelines of the Party and State; the efforts of doctors, medical staff, and especially the noble sacrifices of organ donors and their families; and the support and approval of the people.

The Party and State of Vietnam pay special attention to healthcare, especially in new areas utilizing modern technology such as organ donation and transplantation, and have implemented numerous mechanisms, policies, and laws related to this work. Since the first successful organ transplant 30 years ago, Vietnam has mastered the techniques of transplanting various types of organs and has continuously performed many multi-organ transplants in recent years.

"This is a bright spot, a source of pride, a testament to the remarkable progress, demonstrating the high level of expertise, specialized techniques, and rich experience of organ transplant specialists, of the organ transplant specialty in Vietnam in particular, and of the Vietnamese medical sector in general," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh launches the "Register to donate tissues and organs - Giving is forever" program. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

Recalling General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's statement at the National Culture Conference in November 2021: "Human happiness is not just about having a lot of money, possessions, good food, and beautiful clothes, but also about richness of soul, living amidst love and compassion, righteousness and justice," the Prime Minister pointed out that the significant achievements in organ transplantation in recent times are clear evidence of love and compassion.

Proposing that May 19th – the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh – be designated as the Day of Gratitude to Organ and Tissue Donors, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude for the golden hearts and noble deeds of individuals and families who, with their selfless sacrifices, voluntarily donated organs and tissues – a priceless part of their own bodies or those of their loved ones – to "Illuminate Faith - Continue Hope," opening up opportunities for life for many others.

The Prime Minister acknowledged, commended, and extended congratulations to the leaders of the Ministry of Health, Vietnamese doctors, especially the professors, doctors, and medical staff in the field of organ transplantation, who have demonstrated a high sense of responsibility, continuously researched and improved their skills, and always dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of "healing and saving lives," kindling hope for recovery for many patients and their families who have been longing for it day and night.

The Prime Minister also frankly pointed out concerns and anxieties arising from the fact that the number of organ transplants still does not meet the demand; the source of donated organs after death/brain death is still very limited; the mobilization of resources and mechanisms and policies related to organ transplantation are still limited and inadequate; the number of experts, doctors, and medical staff in the field of organ transplantation is still insufficient; and the infrastructure and equipment are not yet fully adequate to meet the requirements…

Building upon the beautiful tradition of "mutual support and compassion" of our nation, and with the desire for awareness and the spirit of organ donation to save lives to continue spreading strongly and widely in society, the Prime Minister calls on all adult Vietnamese citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or region, to voluntarily register to donate organs in the spirit of "Opening hearts with compassion - Spreading love - Lighting up faith - Continuing hope - Sowing the seeds of life" because "giving is forever," and one person can save many lives.

Everyone should strengthen their awareness of self-care and improve their health, regularly exercise to prevent diseases, and have good health to study well, work well, and contribute even more to their homeland and country. Health is the most precious asset of each citizen and of society as a whole.

The Prime Minister requested that ministries, agencies, and localities coordinate more closely, synchronously, and effectively in communication efforts to spread the noble meaning of organ and tissue donation and encourage people to register for organ and tissue donation; develop plans with specific targets to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors. At the same time, he urged increased application of information technology; improvement and refinement of organ and tissue donation registration methods so that all eligible citizens can register conveniently, easily, and quickly; and a review and improvement of mechanisms and policies, along with appropriate, timely, and effective solutions to promote activities in the field of organ transplantation and donation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh registers to donate tissues and organs. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to avoid any commercialization or buying and selling of human tissues and organs, as organ donation is entirely voluntary and not for commercial purposes. Therefore, regulations on organ transplantation and donation must be strictly adhered to and implemented; there should be no exploitation, profiteering, or violation of regulations.

The Prime Minister hopes and believes that, building on the significant achievements made, with the involvement of all levels, sectors, and localities, and with the profound awareness, compassion, and sharing of the entire society, organ transplantation and the organ and tissue donation system in Vietnam will continue to develop. More and more people will register to donate organs and tissues, bringing faith and hope to patients, strengthening the bonds of kinship and the national tradition of "descendants of Lac and Hong," and "mutual support"; working together to build a humane society, rich in love and compassion, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates register to donate tissues and organs. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN.

At the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of central ministries, departments, and organizations, along with numerous delegates and people from all walks of life, registered to donate tissues and organs, demonstrating a noble gesture in the spirit of "giving is forever"; bringing the total number of people registered to donate tissues and organs on this occasion to 3,812.

Source: VNA/News Agency

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