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| Preparing to perform a pediatric radiation therapy case |
Continuing the thread of life
More than 10 years ago, when she was just 3 years old, Nguyen Tran T.A. (from Hanoi) was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. After initial treatment at the National Children’s Hospital, she was prescribed radiation therapy. However, at that time, many hospitals in Hanoi refused the case because pediatric radiation is complicated, requiring coordination across multiple departments and taking a lot of time... Then, a post on social media about Hue Central Hospital sparked a ray of hope for T.A.’s family.
Warmly welcomed and thoroughly consulted at Hue Central Hospital, T.A. underwent a course of 30 radiation sessions. The success of this case helped spread the reputation of Hue Central Hospital's pediatric radiation therapy, as it is one of only two units in the country offering this technique. T.A. is now an 8th grade student.
On Facebook, Ms. K.Q., the child’s mother, saved a photo of T.A. receiving her very first radiation session. It was a quickly snapped moment, but every year, Facebook’s memory feature brings it back, making that 'historic' moment unforgettable for the family. “The first life is given by the parents; the second life, our child was reborn thanks to the heroes in white blouses,' she said emotionally. At that time, Dr. Phan Canh Duy, Deputy Director of the Oncology Center, Head of Radiation Department 2, was on a business trip abroad, yet before boarding the plane, he still called the team to remind them about the radiation plan he had stayed up all night creating for our child. I still remember every face of the doctors and nurses involved in that first session,” the mother recalled emotionally.
As for Mr. N.V.C., the 15th person in Vietnam to receive a heart transplant across the country, he carries within him a deep, indescribable sense of gratitude. Suffering from severe heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, his case posed many challenges for surgery. However, thanks to the experienced organ transplant team at Hue Central Hospital, the heart transplant was successful, and his health gradually stabilized afterward. He said: “It feels like I’ve been reborn. This new life is thanks to the donated heart and the miraculous hands of the doctors and medical staff!”
Not only Vietnamese patients but also international patients have unforgettable memories at Hue Central Hospital. The family of Mr. Corson K.R. (74 years old, American) is a prime example. During a recent sightseeing trip to Hue, he suddenly fell into a semi-conscious state and experienced partial paralysis. A doctor from Hue Central Hospital who happened to be nearby quickly noticed and helped bring him to the General Emergency Department right at noon.
Doctors quickly performed a clinical examination, CT and MRI scans, and consulted with the Stroke Center. The patient was diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke in the first hour and was prescribed intravenous thrombolytic therapy. After just one hour of drug infusion, he gradually became alert, and there was a marked improvement in the movement on his right side. He continued to be monitored and cared for at the Center for International and Specialized Care. After five days, Mr. Corson K.R. was fully conscious, had regained movement on his right side, and was discharged. Dr. Le Vu Huynh, MSc, Deputy Director of the Stroke Center affirmed: “The prompt diagnosis and response during the golden hour were key to the successful treatment of this case. The patient was closely monitored, thoroughly and attentively guided, and the family was very satisfied.”
After being discharged, Mr. Corson returned to the U.S. with his family, where he continued to receive care and rehabilitation at a specialized hospital. There, American doctors highly praised the treatment he received at Hue Central Hospital, affirming that thanks to the timely and accurate intervention by the doctors, his life was saved without severe lasting effects. They emphasized that not every patient with a similar condition is fortunate enough to achieve such a positive outcome.
Better service
With 3 campuses, 15 centers, and 104 clinical and subclinical departments, Hue Central Hospital led the country last year in the number of medical services and techniques applied across all specialties for examination and treatment.
From marking a historical milestone in Vietnamese organ transplantation with the heart transplant performed by Vietnamese doctors, Hue Central Hospital now leads the country in cross-Vietnam heart transplants, becoming one of the reputable organ transplant centers successfully completing the organ transplant trio “heart, liver, kidney,” bringing new life to patients across the country. The organ transplant technique has also been transferred to Can Tho General Hospital, Military Hospital 103, and others. In the field of cardiology, the hospital has gained recognition for heart surgeries, cardiac resuscitation, and mechanical circulation support. Expanding beyond the Central and Central Highlands regions, the Cardiovascular Center now handles many cases from across the country. Dr. Ho Anh Binh, Director of the Cardiovascular Center at Hue Central Hospital, shared: “The number of patients is now quite large. Some days, our team has to handle 4-5 emergency cases. The center has recently implanted a permanent pacemaker, saving an elderly man nearly 100 years old from Quang Nam. Besides modern equipment, we also train the next generation of staff and develop advanced techniques to meet the development trends.”
Not only in cardiology and organ transplantation, Hue Central Hospital has successfully implemented cutting-edge techniques such as: stem cell transplantation, allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, pediatric radiotherapy, multimodal cancer treatment, minimally invasive surgery, interventional endoscopy, and orthopedic trauma surgery. In 2024, Hue Central Hospital was the only outstanding unit in the healthcare sector to be honored in the Vietnam Glory Program; at the same time, it received the good news that the Ministry of Health ranked it as a high-level specialized technical hospital. It is one of the six public hospitals in the country to be invested in by the government at an international standard level during the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.
Since the beginning of this year, the hospital has adjusted and changed several activities to maximize service and meet patients' needs, such as early consultations and extended noon hours to save time and reduce waiting. The hospital's management has also reviewed and adjusted operations between centers to optimally serve patient needs and make full use of high-quality human resources. The treatment equipment has been upgraded and new equipment has been purchased, such as PET-Cyclotron for cancer treatment, DSA machines, and 3.0 Tesla MRI machines; the hospital has also sought approval to invest in a proton therapy system.
Professor Dr. Pham Nhu Hiep, Director of Hue Central Hospital, said: “This is a time that marks the transition into a new phase, helping the hospital become a regional and global medical center. We are focusing on investing in machinery and equipment for both domestic and international healthcare services, expanding our first and second campuses, and taking over the third campus from the Quang Nam Central General Hospital. We are also implementing AI in diagnostic imaging and medical data analysis to optimize treatment processes; sending staff to participate in advanced training courses in organ transplantation, stem cell transplantation, and other specialized techniques through international cooperation channels... All of these efforts aim to serve the people better and to contribute to the 130 years of development of the institution.”