In 2024, 41 families agreed to donate the organs and tissues of brain-dead relatives, surpassing the combined total from the previous three years.

This record-breaking achievement was shared by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan at the 2024 national conference on organ and tissue donation and transplantation from brain-dead donors, held on January 7.

Between 2021 and 2023, there were 36 cases of organ donation from brain-dead individuals nationwide. In 2024 alone, this number rose to 41.

“This is a record number for Vietnam to date,” said Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan.

Surge in organ transplants

These 41 cases were concentrated in 13 provinces and cities. The proportion of transplants from brain-dead donors increased to 13% of all organ transplants, compared to just 4–6% in previous years.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dong Van He, Director of the National Coordination Center for Organ Transplantation, reported that the number of registered organ donors after death or brain death tripled compared to 2023.

At the current pace, Vietnam’s number of organ donations from brain-dead donors could match that of South Korea within three years, he added.

Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan emphasized that 2024 marked a turning point for organ transplantation in Vietnam, which was recognized as one of the year’s most significant achievements in the country’s medical sector.

Since Vietnam’s first kidney transplant in 1992, the nation has performed over 9,500 organ transplants across 27 hospitals and centers.

Over the past three years, the country has conducted approximately 1,000 transplants annually, making it the leader in Southeast Asia.

However, organ donation and transplantation still fall short of meeting patient demand.

Policy improvements to sustain progress

Deputy Minister Thuan highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance the legal and policy framework for organ and tissue donation.

Key steps include updating technical guidelines, establishing precise economic standards for procedures, and implementing cost structures that reflect actual expenses.

These measures aim to include full coverage for transplant-related costs under Vietnam’s health insurance system.

During the conference, it was announced that Vietnam Social Security (VSS) would soon cover 100% of kidney transplant expenses, including counseling, donor recruitment, surgery, and post-operative care.

Vo Thu