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| The first stem cell transplant of Nguyen Phuoc Thanh Tuyen at Vinmec Times City International Hospital in Ha Noi. — Photo Vinmec. |
HA NOI (Biz Hub) – The Vinmec Times City International Hospital has successfully adapted stem cell transplant therapy for treating children suffering from cerebral palsy.
Transplant therapy has brought new hopes to many young cerebral palsy patients in Viet Nam.
Nguyen Phuoc Thanh Tuyen is a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy in HCM City. Tuyen is the 4th generation great granddaughter of King Thanh Thai (1879-1954), the 10th Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty.
She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was two years old, as result of her premature birth, coupled with a high fever and respiratory failure.
With support of Thien Tam Charity Fund and donors, Tuyen was sent to Vinmec hospital, where she underwent her first stem cell therapy in July.
Tuyen's health condition has significantly improved after two-months of stem cell therapy.
Tuyen now is able to walk seven or eight steps continuously, which is something she never dreamed of a few months ago. She is also able to hold a cup, drink and eat by herself. Further, she is now talking some simple words clearly, instead of only communicating through gestures or signs.
"Tuyen's behaviour has shown significant progress in motor, language and awareness skills," said the hospital's Rehabilitation Department doctor, Vu Duy Chinh.
Tuyen is scheduled to receive her second transplant next month.
Chinh said that the cerebral palsy rate among children in Viet Nam is at 0.06 to 0.19 per cent of the population. There is no cure for the disease. Cerebral palsy causes paralysis, especially in children, resulting in a heavy burden for families and on society.
"I've believed that my daughter's health could recover totally through stem cell transplant therapy," said Nguyen Phuoc Bao Tai, Tuyen's father.
"This is the second time we witnessed remarkable turning point changes in treating children with cerebral palsy at Vinmec hospital. Previously, Nguyen Le Nhat Lam, a 9 year-old girl from Tay Ninh, who also had cerebral palsy, displayed improved results after several stem cell transplant treatments at the hospital," said the founder of the Canada-based Virtual Medical Miracle Network (VN2M), Sam Seyadoussane.
Seyadoussane noted that the therapy opens new hopes for many children with cerebral palsy in Viet Nam and elsewhere in the world. – VNS