On the morning of 19/10, Dong Nai General Hospital discharged a 46-year-old female patient two weeks after a successful kidney transplant surgery. This landmark procedure marks the first organ transplant intervention in Dong Nai province. The hospital waived all medical fees for the operation, providing crucial support to the patient.

The woman, residing in Tan Trieu ward, suffered from end-stage chronic kidney disease. Her two kidneys had almost completely lost their function to filter blood and eliminate toxins. Her husband, a fellow worker, made the selfless decision to donate one of his kidneys to save his wife.

Doctor Hoang Khac Chuan visits the female patient who successfully underwent a kidney transplant in Dong Nai. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

Doctors performed the kidney retrieval and transplant on 6/10. The husband was discharged a few days prior, having made a good recovery. After 14 days of monitoring, the wife's transplanted kidney function was stable. The patient continues to take anti-rejection medication to prevent her immune system from rejecting the new kidney, combined with regular follow-up appointments to manage complication risks.

Doctor Dinh Cao Minh, Deputy Director in charge of Dong Nai General Hospital, stated that the unit prepared for many years to implement this advanced technique. The goal is to allow end-stage chronic kidney disease patients to receive local treatment, avoiding costly transfers to other hospitals. The hospital invested in a synchronous operating room system, ensured the supply of pharmaceuticals and medical materials, and established a close connection process between specialties.

For this first surgery, a team of experts from Cho Ray Hospital directly guided and collaborated with the local team. Their involvement spanned from consultation, anesthesia and resuscitation, organ retrieval surgery, and transplant surgery to postoperative care.

Doctor Hoang Khac Chuan, Deputy Head of the Urology Department at Cho Ray Hospital, noted that this new technique allows local residents to access high-tech services at the provincial level. The entire country currently operates 34 organ transplant centers, with 12 facilities in the Southern region alone. Therefore, Dong Nai mastering kidney transplant techniques will directly reduce the burden on Cho Ray Hospital and other tertiary care facilities.

The Director of Dong Nai Department of Health presents a certificate of merit for the excellent achievements of Dong Nai General Hospital. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*

According to the Dong Nai Department of Health, the province has approximately 1,000 people with end-stage chronic kidney disease who require renal replacement therapy. This includes hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplant. The number of hemodialysis patients has increased over the years, creating growing pressure on the healthcare system.

Ms. Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, assessed that the first transplant case opens a new treatment direction for kidney patients in the province. "This is a necessary step to transform the success of the first transplant into genuine professional capability, laying the foundation for safe and stable technical implementation in the future", Ms. Nguyen said.

Phuoc Tuan