19,300 organ and tissue donors in Việt Nam over the last five years

HÀ NỘI — Over the last five years, there were 19,300 donors that were brain dead or had no heartbeat, the National Coordination Centre for Organ Transplantation (NCCOT) reported.

Hospitals across the country performed 3,378 organs transplant surgeries from August, 31, 2013 to August, 31, 2018, 3,223 of which were for kidneys. They also carried out 125 liver transplants and 26 heart transplants.

These figures were announced at the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the NCCOT and the Programme "Give away is forever," co-ordinated by the centre and Vietnam Television in Hà Nội on Thursday.       

At the anniversary ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Viết Tiến said he appreciated the centre’s efforts and successes over the past five years.

He said the development of organ transplantation work, including the National Organ Transplantation Programme, needs support from relevant agencies, political organisations and the whole community.

“I hope people understand organ donation is humanitarian work,” he said. “It is to save people.”

He said the centre would continue its efforts and will call on the community to join in and support the programme. The centre would expand its branch network to create favourable conditions for people who need to use its services.

The centre reviewed its work over the last five years and acknowledged the doctors’ and health workers’ diligent efforts in treating patients. It honoured organ donors and their families, who brought better lives to other people.

Trịnh Hồng Sơn, the centre’s director, said there were 18 units for co-ordinating human organ transplants in the country and the number was expected to rise in future.

In 2013, the NCCOT was set up because organ donation in the country had been limited. According to Trịnh Hồng Sơn, after one year it had mobilised more than 200 donors.  

In 2017, the centre called on more volunteers to donate organs, bringing the total number of people on the list to 12,000.

After a seven-year-old girl from Hà Nội, Nguyễn Hải An, donated her cornea to two people – a 73-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man – in February of this year, the centre received thousands of organ and tissue donor registrations, Sơn said.

This year, the centre has co-operated with Vietnam Airlines to transport tissue and organs on its flights for free. — VNS