Brian Jeffrey
In a notable achievement, two physicians from Tu Du Hospital and Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City successfully returned a Singaporean mother, who had undergone a fetal cardiac procedure, to her home country, ensuring a seamless transition to doctors in Singapore.
On June 10, the Department of Health in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed that the patient had safely arrived in Singapore, where she was admitted to a recovery unit for ongoing observation and treatment at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The transfer was the outcome of a virtual consultation held on June 9, involving medical professionals from Tu Du Hospital, Children’s Hospital 1, and their Singaporean colleagues specialized in obstetrics and pediatrics. Following the consultation, local authorities granted permission for two Vietnamese doctors to accompany the patient back home.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, Deputy Director at Children’s Hospital 1, and Dr. Trinh Nhat Thu Huong, Head of Prenatal Care at Tu Du Hospital, were tasked with the mission. Despite experiencing a flight delay of over three hours, they successfully reached Singapore at 11 p.m. and completed the handover to the city’s health department.
The medical team in Singapore warmly welcomed their Vietnamese counterparts, expressing their admiration and appreciation for the successful procedure. They commended the professionalism and dedication of the Vietnamese doctors in ensuring the safety of both the mother and the baby.
The fetal intervention teams from both hospitals will maintain communication with their Singaporean colleagues to monitor the patient’s progress in the days ahead.
Earlier on June 9, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan visited Tu Du Hospital and Children’s Hospital 1 to commend both institutions, presenting them with awards for their exceptional achievement in conducting a fetal aortic valvuloplasty—a rare and intricate in-utero heart procedure—for the Singaporean mother.
This groundbreaking case not only provided hope for a fetus diagnosed with a critical condition but also represented a significant milestone in the field of fetal medicine in Vietnam. It highlighted the nation’s growing ability to perform proactive interventions in utero, fundamentally changing the prospects for unborn children.
