In 1996, Nguyen Quang Tuan went to study cardio-vascular intervention at Toulouse University, France, becoming one of the first Vietnamese physicians trained in this field, which was quite new then in Vietnam.
Graduating with distinction from Toulouse university, he was invited to stay and work in France where there is world renowned medical environment. Yet, he decided to return to Vietnam, applying his knowledge to this field in the country which was still confronted with untold hardships and difficulties.
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan began his talk with us about some unforgettable memories of his first days following the healthcare of people with cardio-vascular intervention circumstances. There were many difficulties by the end of the 20th century, when the application of cardio-vascular intervention measures to medical treatment faced many obstacles. Heart ailment cures are considered for the rich with the cost of 2,000 US dollars for surgery. Even if patients could afford it, most of them preferred to travel overseas for treatment as by that time, not only patients but also colleagues doubted the Vietnamese physicians’ capability.
However, with his iron will, high determination and love for patients, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan and his colleagues at Hanoi Heart Hospital successfully performed many cardio-vascular intervention operations. This has helped Vietnamese patients access modern cardio-vascular intervention techniques and high-quality therapeutic methods with lower costs in the country.
In 2010, Nguyen Quang Tuan was given the first prize of “Nhan Tai Dat Viet” (Vietnamese talents) Award in the medical field for his thesis “Can thiep dong mach vanh qua duong ong thong” (Coronary artery intervention by stent implantation). His research subject has opened new fields for the cardio-vascular service in Vietnam, making the cardio-vascular intervention a spear-head sector of the modern Vietnamese medicine. It has also affirmed the new position of Vietnamese medicine in the region and the world. Cardio-vascular intervention has been among Vietnam’s only few medicinal domains being on the par with that of developed countries.
He said, “Now, heart diseases constitute the ailment of not only the rich but also many poor people who need to be promptly treated”. For this reason, he has nurtured the aspiration to successfully perform heart surgeries and to assist provinces and cities in acquiring their own standard cardio-vascular intervention centres. In this way, poor patients can have access to modern medical equipment as well as highly professional doctors giving timely diagnosis and treatment.
When the Ministry of Health decided to choose Hanoi Heart Hospital as a nucleus hospital, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan and outstanding physicians at his hospital directly went to more than 30 provincial-level hospitals and those on the outskirts of Hanoi to transfer the cardio-vascular disease-treatment technology, techniques and methods with a view to reducing the work load for higher-level medical establishments.
During the 2012- 2016 period, Hanoi Heart Hospital transferred the cardio-vascular intervention technology to more than 30 hospitals throughout the country in tandem with the construction of training centres to educate people with ways to prevent cardio-vascular diseases as well as to discover them early for timely treatment. As a result, many poor patients in different provinces and cities have access to and can be promptly treated while having more knowledge about the protection of their healthy hearts.
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan has also helped Hanoi Heart Hospital become an outstanding hospital of the capital city in the successful application of modern administrative technology with accelerated administrative reform, thus creating a good and favorable working environment for his staff as well as the patients. At Hanoi Heart Hospital, all activities have been carried out under the guiding principle of “3TH” (than thien- friendly (for hospital); thuan tien – convenient (for services); thanh lich- courteous and refined (for staff members)) and “3H” (head, hand, heart- meaning working with intelligent heads, skillful hands and kind hearts). Hanoi Heart Hospital has cooperated with Perigueux hospital (France) and first-ranked hospitals of South Korea and Japan.
For his great efforts and achievements, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan was elected to be a deputy to the 14th National Assembly. Being a representative of people, he has contributed his opinions on the undertakings and policies of the Party and the State not only in the medical domain but also in other fields directly related to people, which have had deep impacts on the nation’s future.
With his enthusiasm to devote himself to society, his spirit to learn constantly, his humaneness and compassion for patients, Associte Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan has set a bright example for not only the contingent of medical workers but also those who dare to follow their dreams and ideals. He believes it is important to lead a significant life under the guiding principle which he constantly thinks of: “I know I go through this life only once. So, if there is a need to express my feelings to someone or to do something good for people around me, I would like to do it right now”.
Graduating with distinction from Toulouse university, he was invited to stay and work in France where there is world renowned medical environment. Yet, he decided to return to Vietnam, applying his knowledge to this field in the country which was still confronted with untold hardships and difficulties.
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan began his talk with us about some unforgettable memories of his first days following the healthcare of people with cardio-vascular intervention circumstances. There were many difficulties by the end of the 20th century, when the application of cardio-vascular intervention measures to medical treatment faced many obstacles. Heart ailment cures are considered for the rich with the cost of 2,000 US dollars for surgery. Even if patients could afford it, most of them preferred to travel overseas for treatment as by that time, not only patients but also colleagues doubted the Vietnamese physicians’ capability.
However, with his iron will, high determination and love for patients, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan and his colleagues at Hanoi Heart Hospital successfully performed many cardio-vascular intervention operations. This has helped Vietnamese patients access modern cardio-vascular intervention techniques and high-quality therapeutic methods with lower costs in the country.
 Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Tuan, deputy of the 14th National Assembly/Director of the Hanoi Heart Hospital. Photo: Tat Son/VNP  He is one of the leading experts of cardio-vascular intervention in Vietnam. Photo: Tat Son/VNP  The doctor visits his patient at the Hanoi Heart Hospital. Photo: Tat Son/VNP  Associate Prof. Tuan implements a cardio-vascular surgery at the Hanoi Heart Hospital. Photo: File |
In 2010, Nguyen Quang Tuan was given the first prize of “Nhan Tai Dat Viet” (Vietnamese talents) Award in the medical field for his thesis “Can thiep dong mach vanh qua duong ong thong” (Coronary artery intervention by stent implantation). His research subject has opened new fields for the cardio-vascular service in Vietnam, making the cardio-vascular intervention a spear-head sector of the modern Vietnamese medicine. It has also affirmed the new position of Vietnamese medicine in the region and the world. Cardio-vascular intervention has been among Vietnam’s only few medicinal domains being on the par with that of developed countries.
| Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan is currently the President of Vietnam Cardio-Vascular Intervention Society; President of Hanoi Cardio-Vascular Society; lecturer at Hanoi Medical University; member of the Advisory Committee of the Asian-Pacific Cardio-Vascular Intervention Federation (FAPSIC); member of the US Cardio-Vascular Intervention Federation (FSCAI). |
He said, “Now, heart diseases constitute the ailment of not only the rich but also many poor people who need to be promptly treated”. For this reason, he has nurtured the aspiration to successfully perform heart surgeries and to assist provinces and cities in acquiring their own standard cardio-vascular intervention centres. In this way, poor patients can have access to modern medical equipment as well as highly professional doctors giving timely diagnosis and treatment.
When the Ministry of Health decided to choose Hanoi Heart Hospital as a nucleus hospital, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan and outstanding physicians at his hospital directly went to more than 30 provincial-level hospitals and those on the outskirts of Hanoi to transfer the cardio-vascular disease-treatment technology, techniques and methods with a view to reducing the work load for higher-level medical establishments.
During the 2012- 2016 period, Hanoi Heart Hospital transferred the cardio-vascular intervention technology to more than 30 hospitals throughout the country in tandem with the construction of training centres to educate people with ways to prevent cardio-vascular diseases as well as to discover them early for timely treatment. As a result, many poor patients in different provinces and cities have access to and can be promptly treated while having more knowledge about the protection of their healthy hearts.
Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan has also helped Hanoi Heart Hospital become an outstanding hospital of the capital city in the successful application of modern administrative technology with accelerated administrative reform, thus creating a good and favorable working environment for his staff as well as the patients. At Hanoi Heart Hospital, all activities have been carried out under the guiding principle of “3TH” (than thien- friendly (for hospital); thuan tien – convenient (for services); thanh lich- courteous and refined (for staff members)) and “3H” (head, hand, heart- meaning working with intelligent heads, skillful hands and kind hearts). Hanoi Heart Hospital has cooperated with Perigueux hospital (France) and first-ranked hospitals of South Korea and Japan.
 Associate Prof. Tuan attends the congress of the Hanoi Cardio-vascular Association, 3rd tenure. Photo: File  He signs a cooperation agreement between the Hanoi Heart Hospital and Toulouse university. Photo: File  Associate Prof. Tuan attends a charity programme to give presents to students in Yen Bai province. Photo: File  Associate Prof. Tuan presents gifts to needy students at a kindergarten and a primary school in Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang Province. Photo: File |
For his great efforts and achievements, Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan was elected to be a deputy to the 14th National Assembly. Being a representative of people, he has contributed his opinions on the undertakings and policies of the Party and the State not only in the medical domain but also in other fields directly related to people, which have had deep impacts on the nation’s future.
With his enthusiasm to devote himself to society, his spirit to learn constantly, his humaneness and compassion for patients, Associte Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuan has set a bright example for not only the contingent of medical workers but also those who dare to follow their dreams and ideals. He believes it is important to lead a significant life under the guiding principle which he constantly thinks of: “I know I go through this life only once. So, if there is a need to express my feelings to someone or to do something good for people around me, I would like to do it right now”.
Story: Thao Vy - Photos: Tat Son
