Vietnam doctors train Cambodians in hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Doctor Phu Chi Dung (L), director of HCMC Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital and doctor Sok Sothea of Cambodia’s Calmette Hospital sign an agreement on the technique transfer. Photo credit: Le Phuong/VnExpress

The Ho Chi Minh City Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital has begun a training course in hematopoietic stem cell transplant for Cambodia’s Calmette Hospital.

Dr Sok Sothea of Calmette said a team of three doctors, two nurses and a technician would attend the five-month course that has both theory and practice.

People with hematologic diseases in Cambodia, a country with 15 million people, are yet to benefit from stem cell treatment, he said.

“Cambodia considered several countries and chose Vietnam for the training because we trust the ability of its doctors.”

Phu Chi Dung, director of the HCMC hospital, said doctors would be sent to Cambodia to assist the trainees after the course.

Dung’s hospital conducted the first hematopoietic stem cell transplant in 1995 and has provided the treatment to 214 patients so far.