Con Dao Island Enhances Medical Services for Dialysis Patients, Boosting Tourism

The Con Dao Special Zone in southern Vietnam has launched hemodialysis services for patients with chronic kidney disease, enabling them to travel, rest, and perform pilgrimages without interruption to their treatment. This advancement was made possible by the establishment of a dialysis unit at the Con Dao Military-Civil Medical Center, with professional support from Thong Nhat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. For many patients with kidney failure requiring three dialysis sessions per week, long-distance travel was nearly impossible. Con Dao Island, renowned for its historical significance, spiritual value, and pristine natural beauty, had remained largely an unfulfilled wish for these patients. Ms. H. (pseudonym) from Hanoi is one such case. A patient with end-stage renal failure, she thoroughly researched the island's dialysis conditions before deciding to travel there with her family for a vacation. "We meticulously investigated whether the dialysis conditions here were adequate before making the decision. After undergoing actual treatment, I felt completely at ease. The equipment is new, and the medical staff are highly professional and dedicated," she shared. The initial patients like Ms. H. mark a significant shift in the special zone's medical capabilities. By 2026, the artificial kidney dialysis unit at the Con Dao Military-Civil Medical Center is scheduled to officially begin operations, equipped with two artificial kidney dialysis machines and a modern RO water treatment system. This technology and training are being transferred, personnel are being trained, and ongoing professional support is provided by Thong Nhat Hospital. According to Dr. Le Cong Tho, Director of the Con Dao Military-Civil Medical Center, the unit has served five patients who came to the island for both treatment and vacation since its operation. The dialysis unit allows island residents to avoid traveling to the mainland for regular treatment and creates opportunities for kidney disease patients nationwide to choose Con Dao as a safe tourist destination. To ensure professional quality, Thong Nhat Hospital dispatches doctors and nurses on rotation to guide, support treatment, and transfer technology. Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Bach, Head of the Nephrology and Dialysis Department at Thong Nhat Hospital, stated that the entire process is implemented according to standards comparable to dialysis facilities on the mainland. "Patients receive treatment with the same professional quality as at Thong Nhat Hospital, while still enjoying full health insurance benefits," Dr. Bach noted. Meanwhile, Associate Professor, Dr. Le Dinh Thanh, Director of Thong Nhat Hospital, emphasized that the program's goal extends beyond bringing advanced technology to the island; it aims to build a sustainable treatment model. "The most precious thing for kidney disease patients is to be treated safely and have the opportunity to live a normal life, to travel, to pilgrimage, and to enjoy life. We want patients to be able to access high-quality dialysis services right here in Con Dao Special Zone," Dr. Thanh shared. The presence of the dialysis unit adds a crucial link to the healthcare system in Con Dao Special Zone. Once a locality with limited specialized techniques, the grassroots healthcare system is now gradually meeting the treatment needs of residents and tourists, contributing to improved healthcare quality in conjunction with sustainable tourism development.