After the family of a 75-year-old man in Ho Chi Minh City expressed their wish to donate his corneas, medical workers in Hanoi immediately began a race against time to fulfill the deceased’s final wish a few days ago.

In his last moments, the septuagenarian, who had been battling pulmonary tuberculosis and diabetes, mustered enough strength to speak to his son: “After I pass away, do whatever good you can.”

Pham Le Tuan Nghia, his son, held back his grief and contacted the tissue bank at Hanoi Eye Hospital 2, informing it of his father’s desire to donate his corneas to help blind patients regain their sight.

When Nghia’s father was in critical condition, with little time remaining, Nghia decided to fulfill his wish.

Also, his family members expected to extend their father’s light to those who are visually impaired.

Upon receiving the request, the medical team of the tissue bank sprang into action. 

Nguyen Tran Thuy Duong from Hanoi Eye Hospital 2 shared that the team embarked on an over-1,000-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to fulfill the family’s wish.

Thanks to support from airport staff and medical personnel, the team arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in the southern metropolis on time, where an ambulance from Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital was waiting. 

On the way to Nghia’s home, sirens blared and instructions were given, while the team benefited from the cooperation of local commuters to reach the place quickly.

“When we entered the house, the donor was lying quietly, surrounded by his family members,” Duong recalled.

After necessary procedures were completed, the corneas were swiftly removed and preserved in a special solution. 

They were then transported to Hanoi on Saturday night. 

The gift of the elderly man gave two blind individuals the opportunity to regain their sight.

Currently, the tissue bank in Ho Chi Minh City is temporarily closed and unable to preserve corneas for future transplants.

Some 300,000 blind people in Vietnam are waiting for corneal transplants. 

Since 2007, over 3,000 patients have undergone successful transplants.

Between 2007 and 2023, 45,000 people registered to donate their corneas, with 963 individuals making the donations after death.

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