 Nguyen Hong Duc invents a low-cost device that uses a camera to help doctors place ventilator tubes into a patient's body. (Photo: VOV) |
Duc’s invention is now being used to treat COVID patients in Trung Vuong hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Pham Ngoc Huy Tuan, the head of the hospital’s Emergency Department, says the device, which includes an endoscopic camera and a screen, is very easy to operate.
“The camera makes it easier for us to place the ventilator into the patient’s body. When we’re treating a COVID-19 patient, the device helps us see without having to get too close to the patient, which reduces the risk of infection,” said Tuan.
Nguyen Hong Duc said he first conceived the idea in 2018. After many trials, a workable device was completed this year. By helping doctors place ventilator tubes into patients’ bodies faster and more accurately, the equipment reduces accidents and trauma in emergency cases. The device costs only 220 USD, 20 times cheaper than similar products imported from Germany and the US.
“When I was interning at hospitals, I saw that doctors had a lot of difficulty placing ventilator tubes. I knew there were similar devices in other countries, but they were very expensive to import,” said Duc.
Duc’s product is now available on the market and some have been donated to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, two COVID-19 hotspots in Vietnam.
“The University helped Duc build and test the device, and is making it available in disadvantaged areas for the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” said Tran Thi Thanh, Head of the Medical Department at Buon Ma Thuot University.
 Nguyen Hong Duc donates the device to Dak Lak province’s Health Department for COVID-19 treatment. (Photo: VOV) |
In 2017, Duc invented a device for looking inside veins, which is now in wide use. While at the University, he has created many award winning surgical models.
“I’ve thought a lot about Vietnam having to import expensive medical devices. I believe we can make our own such items. The Health Ministry and scientists should work together to create and promote made-in-Vietnam medical devices. I want to create more low-cost medical equipment so poor people can get better health care,” Duc said.