Hanoi (VNA) - Since the first kidney transplant was performed in June 1992, Vietnamese doctors have performed nearly 9,000 cases throughout the country𒉰 with the participation of 26 hospitals and healthcare centres.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said the 94% of the cases having been conducted from live donation is too high and the rate of organ donation registrations from the brain dead in Vietnam remains very low.

Spreading the spirit of compassion

In response to the drive on the registration of organ donation launched by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha joined hands with the Vietnam Organ Donation Mobilisation Association, a document to this effect is serving as a basis for the committees in the 63 provinces and cities throughout the country to mobilise monks, nuns and followers to join. Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu – Permanent Deputy Chairman of the Management Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha said in the practice of Buddhism, organ donation is a practical demonstration of the love to the human being, the sharing and compassion in each of Buddhist. This is a way to sow the seeds of compassion in the soul of each follower, he said, calling on all the monks, nuns and followers to immediately register to donate organs in an active way.

The official stressed that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will always accompany relevant offices in the work and mobilise monks, nuns, and followers throughout the country to join the noble and compassionate act. Deputy Minister Thuan expressed his hope that with its role and prestige, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will serve as a bridge to spread the message of humanity, encouraging Buddhist to join the organ donation. This is an excellent combination of the cultural tradition and the spirit of compassion of Buddhism with the modern medical science, bringing about practical benefits for the community, he stressed.

Organ donation encouraged among community

In Vietnam, with the development of the modern medical development, organ transplants have become an effective cure to many serious diseases. In the past two years, more than 1,000 organ transplants have been performed each year, the highest in Southeast Asia. Deputy Minister Thuan said the need for organ transplants has not been fully met, and this is posing a huge challenge and responsibility in the communications work among the community to this end. Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Tien – former Minister of Health and Chairwoman of the organ donation mobilisation association, said Vietnam is seeing a lowest level in the world of the registrations of organ donations as well as the actual donations after the death of those who register, only 0.1 out of every 1 million people, while the figure in Spain is 50 out of every 1 million people.

She asked for efforts to intensify the communications work with the inter-discipline coordination by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the National Steering Committee on blood donation, and others. Deputy Minister Thuan said his ministry is committed to creating the best conditions for the organ transplant mobilisation work, and to closely coordinating with relevant authorities and social organisations to ensure effective and sustainable outcomes for the programme./.