The humanistic journey
On November 14, news from Can Tho Central General Hospital, with the support of the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center together with Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Central Military Hospital, and National Children's Hospital, took and transported 5 units of organs from a brain-dead donor to perform transplants for patients waiting for organ transplants.
This is not only a historical milestone for the Mekong Delta health sector but also a profound story of compassion.
On November 4, 2025, Mr. L.M.P. (35 years old, from the old Soc Trang province) was transferred to Can Tho Central General Hospital in critical condition after a traffic accident. Mr. P. was admitted to the hospital with a very serious prognosis: trigolide assessment scale (5 points for glasgow), low blood pressure, respiratory failure and multiple injuries.
Doctors urgently resuscitated, placed endotracheal and consulted with interdisciplinary specialists. However, after 8 days of intensive treatment, Mr. P.'s condition did not improve. The patient fell into a state of the lowest tri thuc (Glasgow 3 points) and the hope of saving his life was gone.
When the doctors explained Mr. P.'s condition, the family, although in pain, made a noble decision, agreeing to donate Mr. P.'s tissues and organs to save the lives of other critical patients waiting for transplants.
The race
Immediately afterwards, Can Tho Central General Hospital reported to the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, immediately activating a professional council to coordinate with experts outside the hospital to assess the brain death condition in accordance with legal regulations.
The Resuscitation Unit focuses all resources to maintain organs in the best condition. The hospital quickly carried out legal procedures for brain-dead donors and mobilized all resources for organ transplants for brain-dead donors.
The expanded consultation was organized with experts from Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Central Military Hospital, Central Children's Hospital and the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center. After many hours of professional consultation, the time for organ removal surgery was set: 10:00 on November 13, 2025.
With the coordination of the National Organ Transplant Coordination Center, more than 40 medical staff from Cho Ray Hospital, 108 Central Military Hospital, National Children's Hospital, Can Tho Central General Hospital... have coordinated to take organs in order of heart, liver, kidneys, cornea. The organ retrieval process takes place every minute.
5 organs were successfully removed and immediately embarked on a journey to bring life to other critical patients. Of which, the heart and liver were urgently transported to Hanoi, transplanted to patients at 108 Central Military Hospital (heart transplant, part of liver transplant to patients at 108 Central Military Hospital). The remaining liver was taken to the National Children's Hospital for transplant to a pediatric patient; 1 cornea was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital; 2 kidneys were retained for transplant at Can Tho Central General Hospital.
The ambulances carrying organs were supported by the Can Tho City Traffic Police. After that, the flight of more than 2,000 km brought the heart and breath-warming liver of the donor to petition people.
miraculous revival
Up to now, the 5 patients who received the organ transplant have all had positive progress. The cornea is in the preparation stage for transplantation. Can Tho Central General Hospital supported the family with post-herpetic care and brought Mr. P.'s ashes back to his hometown as desired.
Dr. CKII Pham Thanh Phong, Deputy Professional Director of Can Tho Central General Hospital, shared: "We would like to express our deep gratitude to the family of the organ donor, who have lost their loved ones and turned them into hope for many patients. That gesture is invaluable, the foundation for us to continue our mission of saving people. The special meaning of this organ donation does not stop at saving people."
It is known that the two retained kidneys were used to perform two kidney transplants right at Can Tho Central General Hospital for patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure. These are the 15th and 16th kidney transplants of the hospital (since the first on April 25, 2024), but are the first two kidney transplants performed from a brain-dead donor.
