Lao and Vietnamese medical staff prepare to carry out a kidney transplant at the Military Hospital 103. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The Military Hospital 103 in Vientiane on Monday (Jan 9) reported the results of the first two successful kidney transplants in Laos, which took place at the hospital on Dec 31.
Speaking at a press conference, the Director of the Military Hospital 103, Colonel Savaengxay Dalasath, said the transplants, which took place with the support of Vietnam’s Military Hospital 103, marked a new chapter in Lao healthcare and in cooperation between the Lao and Vietnamese health sectors.
The success of the operations was a significant step forward in improving healthcare for the Lao population by raising standards to regional and global levels, he added.
Three kidney donors were considered ahead of the surgery and two were chosen to donate their organs. The surgeries involved almost 100 Lao medical staff and eight Vietnamese specialists.
Colonel Savaengxay said the Vietnamese team were in full command of the procedures and employed stringent techniques to ensure the success of the operations.
Vietnam’s Military Hospital 103 donated 1,000 sets of patient clothing and a variety of medicines and supplies to support future kidney transplants at the Lao hospital.
Vietnamese doctors successfully performed the first kidney transplant in 1992 at that country’s Military Hospital 103. Today, Vietnam has 21 transplant centres and surgeons have performed kidney transplants on more than 6,000 people, including many Lao nationals.
Kidney transplants are aimed at reducing the number of visits to hospitals for frequent dialysis, which is required by people suffering from diabetes and kidney disease.
A kidney transplant is the best available treatment for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. A kidney transplant is preferred over dialysis because of the associated benefits and offers a lot more freedom to patients as they no longer need to make routine visits to a hospital for dialysis and can eat a more normal diet.
Many hospitals in Asean countries have carried out kidney transplants, including in Vietnam and Thailand.
In Laos, the number of patients in end-stage renal failure is increasing. It is estimated that more than 1,000 people with kidney failure are undergoing dialysis across the country.
