HCM CITY — A technique for freezing to preserve red blood cells with glycerol at -80 degree Celsius for 10 years and a milk with high protein which is the first product made by a Vietnamese nutritionist are the two outstanding scientific research works awarded the KOVA Prize in the category of Creative Ideas for Applied Science last Saturday (December 17).

The KOVA Prize, which was set up by former Vice President Nguyễn Thị Bình and Associate Prof. Dr Nguyễn Thị Hòe, chairwoman of KOVA Paint Group in 2002, is annually held to honour individuals and groups that have made excellent contributions in the fields of science, education, charity and other categories.

The technique for freeze-preservation of red blood cells with glycerol at -80 degree Celsius for 10 years was researched by a group of doctors from the HCM City Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital.

Dr Phù Chính Dũng, the hospital’s head, said: “Traditional techniques could store blood cells for 42 days only.”

The freezing technique for longer blood storing is useful for patients who have rare blood types and need blood in an emergency, Dũng said.

The hospital has a number of people with these blood types, but still fail to meet the emergency demand, he added.

In Việt Nam, seven of 10,000 people have rare blood types, he said.

The milk with high protein was made by Professor Tạ Thị Tuyết Mai, head of Gia Định People Hospital’s Nutrition Ward in the city.

Soya milk mixed with full cream powdered milk as well as probiotics is served for patients with serious health problems, lactose intolerance and those using feeding tubes, Mai said.

“The price of this milk is one fourth that of others in the market,” she said, adding that it helps improve nutrition for hundreds of patients.

The 14^th KOVA Prize’s awards at the category of Beautiful Living were presented to six individuals and groups for their wonderful actions which have inspired other people to follow, including Peaceful Village under Từ Dũ Obstetric Hospital in the city, which raises hundreds of orphans with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange.

Moreover, 16 students with excellent achievements in scientific research were awarded.

At the awarding ceremony, 110 scholarships were presented to university students who are poor and have outstanding academic achievements.

Võ Thị Dung, deputy secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, said that the prize creates an inspiration for scientists and students in scientific research.

It encourages everyone to live making useful contributions to life and society, Dũng said. —VNS