Doctors of Ha Noi-based Viet Nam-Germany Hospital successfully conducted a liver transplant on a patient in very critical condition, the most serious case in the hospital’s history.

The patient recovers well following surgery. – VNA/VNS Photo

This was announced by the hospital at a press conference on Monday.

D.T.P.M, a 15 year-old girl, hailing from Tinh Gia District of central Thanh Hoa Province, suffered from acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy (the occurrence of confusion, altered level of consciousness and coma as a result of liver failure).

Despite undergoing liver purification and blood plasma change, doctors said her life could be saved only if liver transplant surgery was conducted.

Professor Tran Binh Giang, Viet Nam-Germany Hospital director, called this an especially critical case. Conducting a liver transplant was a hard decision as success rate stood at a low 5-10 per cent.

Doctor Nguyen Quang Nghia, director of the Human Organ Transplantation Centre under the Viet Nam-Germany Hospital, said that the girl was the most serious patient among all the 36 liver transplants conducted at Viet Nam-Germany Hospital, as all her health indicators were at the lowest level and the blood clotting disorder was very serious.

The girl’s father decided to donate half his liver for his daughter’s surgery.

The transplant, which saw the involvement of more than 100 doctors and nurses, was conducted on March 29 and lasted nine hours.

Four days following the transplant, both the patient and the donor were in stable condition. The girl’s liver functions were recovering well as expected.

She is expected to go home on Friday.

VN-German Hospital asked to clarify patient’s death

The Medical Examination and Treatment Department under the Health Ministry asked the Viet Nam-Germany Hospital to clarify information related to the death of a female patient after two intestine surgeries.

The move came following a report sent by the patient’s husband, Vu Ngoc Duc, to the ministry and media agencies.

Accordingly, Nguyen Thi Tu, from Ha Noi’s Thach That District, was diagnosed with benign small intestine tumour and told to undergo an endoscopy.

On February 12, the operation was conducted following traditional method without any notice from the hospital.

Six days following the first surgery, Tu developed high fever and was advised to have a second surgery. She subsequently dies.

Nearly one month since her death, the patient’s family has yet to receive any response from the hospital.

The Medical Examination and Treatment Department has asked the hospital to clarify responsibilities of groups and individuals related to the case and impose strict penalties following regulations if there are any violations.

The clarification must be announced to the media and reported to the ministry before April 10. 

Operations of Vinh An Duong clinic suspended

Ha Noi’s Department of Health has suspended operations of Vinh An Duong clinic for further investigation after a series of violations were discovered, local media reported on Tuesday.

Operations of Vinh An Duong clinic in Ha Noi has been suspended. - Photo kienthuc.net.vn

The department also temporarily seized all original business licences and documents related to health checkups and treatment at the clinic. 

A health department official said an unexpected inspection at the clinic, located on Thanh Xuan District’s Nguyen Trai Street, led to the discovery of many drugs with Chinese names, of which several tablets and capsules had no label and did not mention place of origin.

Additionally, inspectors discovered the clinic’s staff was mixing drugs with material of unknown origin.

“This violates the Ministry of Health’s regulation,” the official said.

The clinic also hired an employee of Chinese nationality who had no certificate to package and prepare medicines for patients. 

VNS