Vietnam’s prime minister has decided to establish the National Center for coordinating Human Organ Transplants in the capital city of Hanoi, the first of its kind in the country so far. Located at Vietnam-Germany General Hospital, the center is responsible for coordinating donated body tissue and organs and will liaise with tissues banks and hospitals nationwide. Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien highlighted the importance of the center as it is a milestone in the nation’s healthcare service amid soaring demand for organ transplants. Ms. Tien added that Vietnam now has nearly 6,000 patients with chronic kidney failure, more than 5,000 that need corneas’ and other organs, who urgently need transplants. Statistics by the Ministry of Health showed the country has 13 healthcare facilities that meet the regulations and conditions for carrying out body tissue and organ transplants. The first kidney transplant was performed successfully by the Medical Military Institute in 1992. To date, the health sector has performed 800 kidney transplants, 41 liver transplants and eight heart transplants. (Tin Tuc – News July 1 p3, Dai Bieu Nhan Dan – People’s Deputy July 1 p2, Thanh Nien – Young People July 29)
