Nguyen Tien Quyet pioneers organ transplantation in Vietnam

Associate Professor Nguyen Tien Quyet, former Director of Viet Duc University Hospital, is recognized as a pioneer in Vietnam’s organ transplantation field. Over a 40-year surgical career, he has been instrumental in establishing the country's capacity to perform complex transplant procedures.

Two landmark surgeries marked significant milestones for the nation. In November 2007, Viet Duc Hospital successfully performed Vietnam’s first adult liver transplant, a procedure conducted with support from experts at National Taiwan University Hospital.

In May 2010, the hospital achieved a major breakthrough by performing the first liver transplant from a brain-dead donor in Vietnam. This procedure allowed for multi-organ harvesting to save multiple patients. These early successes were achieved despite significant resource shortages, including a lack of organ preservation equipment and specialized medications, which required international procurement from South Korea and Japan.