The lauching ceremony of a tissue bank and a branch for promoting human tissue and organ donation at the Hà Nội Eye Hospital 2 on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội Eye Hospital 2 on Thursday became the first private hospital in Việt Nam to launch a tissue bank and establish a branch for promoting human tissue and organ donation.

The move is in response to Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s appeal at a ceremony to launch the organ and tissue donation campaign on May 19.

Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn stated that cornea donation is a noble act, bringing light and hope to those who unfortunately lost their sight.

The Ministry of Health will continue supporting and creating the most favourable conditions for tissue, organ and cornea donation, he added.

Associate Professor, Dr. Hoàng Thị Minh Châu, Director of the hospital, said that according to incomplete statistics, since 2017, the country has had more than 300,000 people suffering from visual impairment due to corneal diseases, of whom half have vision loss in both eyes. In Việt Nam, corneal transplant surgery was performed for the first time in 1950, but the number remains modest due to the resources.

At the event, Thuận called on people to participate in cornea donation.

Since the first cornea donation in April 2007, the country has recorded 963 cornea donors, mainly in Ninh Bình Province (437), and Nam Định (332). To date, more than 20 provinces and cities have had people donate corneas after death. — VNS