Brian Jeffrey
Life-Saving Organ Transplantations at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City
As the Tet holiday nears, over 200 dedicated medical personnel at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City worked around the clock to perform organ transplantation from a brain-dead donor, ultimately saving the lives of four individuals.
On January 26, the center’s Director, Associate Professor Nguyen Hoang Bac, shared the news of the successful transplant involving four vital organs.
The donor, having been critically ill and under intensive care, was confirmed brain-dead after thorough assessments. The family chose to donate their loved one’s organs, allowing others a chance at life.
A multidisciplinary team, led by Associate Professor Bac, met on January 24 to strategize the intricate organ retrieval and transplant process. They ensured that potential recipients on the waiting list matched the donated organs’ requirements.
As of 8 p.m. that same day, the large team of medical staff began the intricate tasks of organ harvesting.
The heart was effectively transplanted into a 12-year-old boy battling restrictive cardiomyopathy, a condition severely hampering heart function. The liver went to a patient suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, while two kidneys were transplanted into patients facing end-stage renal failure.
Associate Professor Bac expressed sincere appreciation to the donor’s family, acknowledging their brave choice during a difficult time. He highlighted that their act of kindness not only saved lives but also showcased profound human compassion.
This successful transplantation follows a prior achievement at the University Medical Center, where a brain-dead donor’s organs benefited six patients, including heart and corneal transplants to two individuals at Hue Central Hospital. Additionally, a liver and two kidneys were allocated to patients with liver cancer and renal failure at the center.
