A Vietnamese doctor has obtained an annual award for people in Asia with outstanding contributions to the regional development in several major fields.

Professor Nguyen Thanh Liem has won the Nikkei Asia Prize for his excellent achievements in science, technology and innovation, becoming the first Vietnamese to be honored with the prize in this area.

He is a leading pediatric surgery expert in Vietnam and used to serve as the director of Vietnam National Children’s Hospital, a major pediatric center of the country.

The doctor has made special contributions to pediatric endoscopic techniques, and invented nine surgical techniques entirely different from those currently utilized across the world.

Nguyen Thanh Liem (center), a child patient he treated and the child’s father. Photo courtesy of Liem

His fame is also associated with a number of surgeries of separating conjoined twins in Vietnam, which have been considered the most complicated nationwide.

Many surgeons in children’s treatment, domestic and foreign, have trained under his guidance.

Liem is expected to travel to Tokyo to receive the award on June 14.

The Nikkei Asia Prizes, made by Nikkei Inc, a large media corporation in Japan, are aimed at fostering understanding between Japan and other Asian countries, according to the Nikkei Asia Awards website.

The recipients are non-Japanese individuals and groups in Asia making a significant difference in the three areas of regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture.

The winners can each bring home ¥3 million (US$28,000).

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