First ever heart transplant successfully conducted in Hue


A human heart transplant was successfully performed by Vietnamese doctors from the Cardiovascular Faculty of the Hue Central Hospital on Wednesday.

"This is the first ever heart transplant to be performed by local doctors without the support of foreign experts," said the hospital's director, Bui Duc Phu.

Patient Tran Mau Duc , a 26-year-old man from Phu Hoi Ward of Hue City, underwent surgery following a year's treatment.

"The patient awoke seven hours after the operation and was able to move and hear," said Phu.

"At present, Mau's health figures are very good," confirmed Phu.

President Nguyen Minh Triet sent flowers to the medical team in recognition of their success.

There were six patients awaiting heart transplants at the hospital, but finding donors was difficult, said Phu said.

Viet Nam's first heart transplant was carried out at the Military Medical Institute 103 with the support of Taiwanese experts in March 2010.

Hanoi hosts science meeting with Asian theme


As many as 100 scientists from several major universities across Asia gathered in Hanoi on March 2 for a meeting on sustainable sciences.

The Second International Conference on Sustainability Science in Asia (ICSS-Asia 2011), chaired by the directors of Vietnam National University Hanoi and Tokyo University, discussed topics relating to the development of science and creating a safe environment for people to live in.
Also on the agenda were issues such as climate change, urban and rural sustainable development, environmental protection and human resources training in science.
The event is an opportunity for scientists to share their experiences on sustainable socio-economic development and help to link training and research establishments and international organisations operating in the communal sustainable development sector.
The event, part of international activities on environmental protection and climate change, aims to maintain efforts and commitments made by Vietnam and the international community on environmental protection for sustainable development.
The workshop also drew the participation of officials from non-governmental organisations from nations around the world.


First HIV hospital opens in Ha Noi


The first hospital for people living with HIV/AIDS has opened in Ha Noi.

Care and Treatment for HIV/AIDS Hospital is based in Tan Trieu Commune, Thanh Tri District. It has 200 beds, four functional rooms and 10 faculties.

Scientific research will also be conducted at the hospital, formerly the 09 Centre.

Medical staff will co-ordinate with other domestic and international organisations in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.


Eleven more cases of swine flu found


A further 11 people have been diagnosed with A/H1N1 in southern Ben Tre Province, according to the provincial Health Department.

There are now 18 confirmed cases of the virulent flu virus – 17 students and one teacher. All of them have been isolated at home and are undergoing treatment.

More than 200 cases, mainly students in Giao Trach District, are thought to have contracted A/H1N1 but have yet to be confirmed, said the department's deputy director, Nguyen Van Thang. He added that the situation was under control.


Hernia operation saves infant's life


Doctors at the General Hospital of central Khanh Hoa Province have successfully operated on a 25-day-old baby diagnosed with a hernia.

The hospital's doctors performed surgery on her stomach and oesophagus.

The patient is in good health and will be discharged in 10 days, said Le Thuong, head of the hospital's Surgery Ward.

He added that neonatal paraesophageal hernias were rare and that this had been the first operated on successfully at the hospital.


Filipino seaman to return home


The Phu Yen Border Guards will return five Filipino seamen to the Embassy of the Phillipines on Thursday, March 3.

The men were involved in an accident at sea near Song Tu Tay Island off the coast of Phu Yen Province on January 31.

They were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat after their vessel sank and have since been cared for by local authorities, who reported they were in a stable condition, said deputy head of the provincial Border Guards Nguyen Van Minh.

Joeban A.SaYoung, an official from the embassy, expressed his special thanks to local authorities for their help.

Muslims in Ninh Thuan has representative board

The Muslim community in the central province of Ninh Thuan made its debut provisional representative board on March 3.

The event was attended by representatives from the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, the provincial Fatherland Front along with provincial authorities and local Islam followers.

Ninh Thuan is now home to 3,044 Muslims who practise their faith at four mosques in Thuan Nam and Ninh Hai districts.

The provisional representative board will help local Muslims practise their religion within the law, contributing to the country’s development.

The Ninh Thuan Muslim provisional board has 13 members.


ADB helps improve urban environment


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to cooperate with Ho Chi Minh City in urbanisation projects to address urban issues such as transport, water supply and environment. 

At a working session with the municipal leaders on March 2, ADB President Haruhiko Koroda said that HCM City is facing a lot of challenges during its rapid development and one of these challenges is climate change and sea level rise. 

Over the past time, ADB has helped HCM City in infrastructure development and climate change adaptability, including a project to build Metro Route No. 2, he said. 

Recently, the bank approved a US$1 billion loan for water supply and drainage projects in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, he added. 

The municipal People’s Committee’s Chairman Le Hoang Quan said over recent years, ADB has provided a great deal of assistance to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City commits to using its capital in the most effective manner. 

On the same day, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Hong Khanh heard relevant units to report on the implementation of a project to improve a road section on the right bank of To Lich River.

Funded by the Japanese government’s ODA loans, the project will help improve the environment and scenery along the two sides of To Lich River, strengthen the water drainage capacity for Hanoi and reduce traffic jams once completed in March 2011.


Unfinished district headquarters collapses


The headquarters of Yen Son District in the northern mountainous Tuyen Quang Province, which is under construction, collapsed and injured six people on Wednesday.

The names of the victims have not been released though they all were taken to Tuyen Quang Provincial Hospital for emergency treatment.

An investigation of the incident is ongoing.


Five Filipino seamen to be returned home


Phu Yen Border Guards returned five Filipino seamen to the Embassy of the Philippines on Wednesday afternoon.

The men were involved in an accident at sea near Song Tu Tay Island off the coast of southern central Phu Yen Province on January 31.

They were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat after their vessel sank and have since been cared for by local authorities.

All of the fishermen were reported to be in good condition.


Tours to Bach Ma Mountain stopped


Tours to Bach Ma Mountain in central Thua Thien-Hue Province will stop at the end of this year while the road is upgraded, according to Huynh Van Keo, director of Bach Ma National Park.

The 19km-long road will be widened to between five and seven metres from its current 3.5 metres at a cost of VND87 billion (US$4.1million).

The upgrade is being financed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.



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