DTiNews gives readers a closer look at the memorable accomplishments in healthcare as well as top headlines from the field in 2010.
First heart transplant
Bui Van Nam, the first patient in Vietnam receiving a heart transplant operation, has recovered (Photo: by Tien Phong)
On June 17, doctors from Hospital 103 under the Military Academy of Medicine, successfully carried out the first heart transplant operation in the country for Mr. Bui Van Nam. Notably, the donor was a brain-dead patient. Through this, doctors hope that people will have a more open attitude to organ donation for other’s lives.
Saving of a premature infant
The 0.5KG baby is being fed
The Hanoi-based Central Obstetrics Hospital successfully saved the life of a 0.5kg newborn baby named Bui Thi Gai in northern Hai Duong Province. This was the record for the smallest baby to be saved in Vietnam’s history.
Health Insurance fund brings VND3.5 trillion surplus
More people get health insurance
The country\'s Health Insurance Fund is expected to run a surplus of VND3.5 trillion (USD175 million) this year after four consecutive years of overspending. There was a deficit of VND3.083 trillion (USD154.15 million) reported in 2009 alone. This year\'s surplus is partially attributed to the government’s decree which stipulates health insurance accounts for 4.5% of minimum salary, helping to raise the Health Insurance Fund’s budget.
Doctors honoured for coronary work
Doctors Pham Manh Hung and Nguyen Quang Tuan at the granting ceremony of Vietnam Talent Award 2010
Two doctors Pham Manh Hung and Nguyen Quang Tuan from Vietnam Heart Institute were honoured at the Vietnam Talent Awards 2010 for their new method of applying coronary artery catheterization to treat cardiac diseases. They were the first to introduce coronary artery catheterization to Vietnam and have successfully cured local patients.
Hospital overload cut by 30%
National Pediatrics Hospital no longer sharing beds
The Ministry of Health has made initial progress in reducing overload in hospitals after the two-year implementation of a project named 1816 to send doctors from higher-level hospitals to lower-level ones, helping to cut the overload by 30%. Up to 65 hospitals have sent their doctors to 61 cities and provinces.
10 million pills wasted away
According to the Government Inspectorate’s conclusion, VND562 billion (USD28.1 million) was spent by four companies to produce nearly 20 million Tamiflu pills. However, nearly half of these were found left wasteful and expired in March 2009. To date, the final decision to deal with these expired pills have not yet been made.
