Doctor, what is the significance of building a Children's Organ Transplant Center for the health sector of Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country?
- The center has great significance. First of all, this is an important step forward to improve the quality of treatment for children with serious illnesses and organ failure, helping them have the opportunity to live healthier. With a specialized center, Vietnamese children have access to modern technology right in the country, reducing the need to go abroad at an expensive cost.
In addition, the center will be a place for training, research and development of pediatric transplant techniques, creating high-quality human resources, contributing to bringing Vietnamese healthcare closer to regional and world standards. More importantly, the establishment of the center also demonstrates the humanistic spirit and responsibility of the health sector in caring for future generations.
At what stage has the center been implemented and what outstanding items will be there when completed?
- Currently, the center is being implemented according to a step-by-step roadmap. Some important items have been completed such as infrastructure and a team of professionals including doctors, nurses, and technicians trained at home and abroad.
When completed, the center will have many highlights: Specialized organ transplant surgery area for children with a closed, modern operating room; post-transplant resuscitation area to ensure maximum safety for children; immune and genetic testing system for accurate screening; international training and research units to transfer new techniques and a consulting department, psychological and social support for families and children. It can be said that the center will be one of the first specialized facilities dedicated to pediatric organ transplants in Vietnam.
Why did Children's Hospital 2 decide to invest in building a center at this time?
- We chose this time for many reasons. Firstly, the demand for organ transplants in children is increasing, while the number of cases performed domestically has not met the reality. Many children have to wait a long time or go abroad at too high a cost.
Second, after many years of accumulating experience, the hospital has enough human resources, techniques and facilities to deploy a specialized center, mastering complex organ transplant techniques.
Third, this is in line with the general orientation of the health sector: improving in-depth specialized capacity, affirming the pioneering role of Children's Hospital 2 in child health care.
In addition, this is also a favorable time to mobilize support from the government, international organizations and the community to bring life opportunities to many children with serious illnesses.
When put into operation, what new capabilities will the center bring in the treatment of children in need of complex organ transplants?
- The center will increase admission capacity, helping many pediatric patients to be treated domestically instead of having to be transferred to hospitals or abroad. The professional quality has also been improved thanks to the modern operating room, resuscitation room, and testing system, which can perform liver and kidney transplants at a more difficult and safer level.
In particular, the center will comprehensively manage the process from screening, diagnosis, surgery to long-term care and monitoring. We will also be more proactive in human resources and techniques, reduce dependence on international support and become a training facility, transferring to other hospitals. This expands the chance of survival for pediatric patients nationwide, affirming Ho Chi Minh City's medical position in the field of high technology.
What message do you want to send to the community?
- On the occasion of National Day 2.9, we hope to spread the message of sharing and compassion through organ donation.Each noble gesture can bring life to many children waiting.At the same time, I call on the community to believe in Vietnam's medical capacity.With solidarity and continuous efforts, we can completely bring new life opportunities to children right in our homeland.
Thank you!
Children's Hospital 2 (HCMC) is the final destination for pediatric organ transplants in the South; recognized by the Ministry of Health as eligible for transplants from living donors and brain-dead people (May 4, 2024).
12.2024: Re intentionally performing a kidney transplant for a child from a brain-dead donor (source of coordinated organs from Binh Duong).
April 18, 2025: The first liver transplant from a brain-dead donor at Children's Hospital 2, bringing the total number of liver transplants to 50.
The hospital has performed 3 liver transplants in 1 week to promptly save the child.
Children's Hospital 2 alone: More than 100 children have been indicated for liver transplantation, more than 70 children have been indicated for kidney transplantation; organ sources are still scarce.
