Brian Jeffrey
Successful Kidney Transplants at Saint Paul Hospital
On August 24, Dr. Nguyen Duc Long, the director of Saint Paul Hospital, shared that the facility successfully performed two kidney transplant operations using organs from N.D.T, a 32-year-old brain-dead donor from Dong Anh district, Hanoi.
Both recipients have completely recovered, no longer requiring dialysis treatments. In addition to the kidneys, other organs from the donor were utilized for various surgeries on different patients.
The heart was transplanted into a man at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. A recipient at Viet Duc Hospital received the liver, while the Military Hospital 108 was the recipient of the donor’s two corneas.
Two weeks after the transplants, all six individuals who received organs showed excellent recovery results.
Dr. Long highlighted that the organ retrieval and transplanting process involved a collaborative effort from hundreds of surgeons and healthcare professionals across multiple hospitals, all united by the noble mission of saving lives.
A poignant moment occurred at 9 PM on August 24 during a heavy rain in Hanoi, when a gathering of medical workers, patients, and the family of the donor stood silently in tribute, expressing their gratitude and bidding farewell to the heart that was being taken south for transplantation. “It was an emotional sight as tears were shed by everyone present,” Long remarked.
Nurse Dinh Thi Thu Nga from Saint Paul Hospital reflected on her memorable conversation with H, the 30-year-old widow of the organ donor, on the morning of August 23.
During their discussion, Nga explained the significant impact of organ donation in saving lives. The widow expressed her desire to consult with her family regarding the decision to proceed with the donation.
Later that afternoon, she confirmed the family’s choice to donate her husband’s organs. “She expressed her hope that their children would be proud of their father,” Nga recalled, expressing her admiration for the widow’s courageous and compassionate decision in the face of her profound loss.
By Phuong Thuy
