HÀ NỘI — The 108 Military Central Hospital organised a ceremony to honour Major Lê Hải Ninh, a soldier whose lung, heart, kidney and corneas were donated after he was declared brain dead at a ceremony yesterday.

His organs helped save the lives of six patients in the north and the south cities of Việt Nam.  

Ninh contributed to the medical history in Việt Nam by facilitating the first lung transplant from a brain dead donor.

Earlier, Ninh, 45, from Yên Mô District, Ninh Bình Province, was sent to the hospital in a condition of deep coma due to stroke and brain oedema on February 23, 2018. 

“After learning about Ninh’s situation, his family decided to donate his organs, including the lung, heart, kidneys and corneas to save the lives of six needy patients, including two soldiers,” said Prof. Mai Hồng Bàng, director of 108 Military Central Hospital, at the event.

“The hospital has carried out legal procedures, in accordance with the law on donation, removal and transplant of human tissues and organs. This is a noble and humanitarian gesture by major Ninh and his family,” said Prof. Bàng.

Health minister Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến and leaders of 108 Military Central Hospital visit lung receiver, Trần Ngọc Hanh, in the 108 Military Central Hospital on Wednesday. — Photo courtesy of the 108 Military Central Hospital

On March 26, the 108 Military Central Hospital’s team of 60 doctors successfully performed the first ever lung transplant from a dead brain donor in Việt Nam in an eight-hour surgery.

Trần Ngọc Hanh, 52, from Nam Định Province, who received the lung, was diagnosed with severe respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a lung transplant was the only way to save his life.

At the same time, Ninh’s organs were transplanted to five other patients. A cornea was transplanted to a patient at the hospital, while the other one went to a patient at the Central Eye Hospital.  

The hospital also collaborated with the National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Collaboration Centre, Việt Đức Hospital in Hà Nội and Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City to preserve and send the kidneys and heart to HCM City by air to be transplanted to two other patients at Chợ Rẫy Hospital.

“All the six receivers are in stable health condition, especially Hanh, the lung receiver,” said Prof. Bàng.

At the event, health minister Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến handed over a ’For people’s health’ insignia to Ninh, while the hospital leader presented free health insurance cards to his family. — VNS