CẦN THƠ — The Cardiovascular Centre under the Cần Thơ Central General Hospital, which is the largest and most modern centre in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta, opened on Tuesday in Cần Thơ.

The hospital, which is the highest-level hospital in the Mekong Delta, decided to invest in a cardiovascular centre after dozens of years of consideration.

Dr. Hà Bửu Kiếm, deputy director of the Cardiology Centre, said cardiology was one the five most overloaded departments at hospitals around the country, according to the Ministry of Health.

At the Cần Thơ Central General Hospital, the cardiology department was designed to accommodate 97 beds but has expanded to 140-160 beds. However, it is still too crowded with patients.

The Cardiovascular Centre, which includes internal cardiovascular, interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery departments, uses high technologies and methods in diagnosis and treatment for patients in the region.

Since 2009, Cần Thơ Central General Hospital has invested heavily in human resources and equipment for cardiovascular treatment, helping to reduce the patient overload at higher-level hospitals.

Since 2015, the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the hospital has performed surgery on 91 patients, including many critical cases. Many poor patients have been financially supported by benefactors.

In addition, the Department of Cardiovascular Intervention offers immediate intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since 2013, the department has been involved in immediate intervention for 2,641 patients.

Dr. Nguyễn Minh Vũ, director of Cần Thơ Central General Hospital, said the establishment of the cardiovascular centre was an important step to promote advanced techniques in cardiovascular treatment.

“The centre will be a bridge to charities and social work departments in the region so that funding can be mobilised for poor patients to have free coronary interventions,” Dr. Vũ said. — VNS