The joy of welcoming tiny new lives into the world is a feeling that never diminishes, even after thousands of such moments. For over a decade, Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc, has embraced this privilege with unwavering dedication to the profession,
Late one evening in September, a notification appeared on the Zalo account of Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc, Head of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at FV Hospital. The message was from a Cambodian patient who had recently been discharged. Intrigued, Dr Dat carefully read through the “official letter” sent by the Cambodian Bar Association, prominently marked with the national emblem in the top-left corner.
Despite the formal layout of the document, its contents felt more like a heartfelt letter from the patient’s husband. The words, “thank you for saving my wife and my child”, deeply moved Dr Dat, momentarily easing some of his worries. Yet, the image of the 37-year-old mother, who had risked her life to have a child, slowly began to flood his mind.
“Little angel enters the world – a miracle of creation”
Dr Dat’s first encounter with the patient took place on 18 April 2023. The young woman, who had never given birth, had a large fibroid weighing 2-3 kg, equivalent to a 20-week foetus, and was advised to undergo a hysterectomy to save her life. Despite this, she immediately refused surgery, citing the need to return to Cambodia to arrange her work. Two months later, the patient returned for a check-up with a 7-week, 6-day pregnancy, and in severe pain. The doctor had to terminate the pregnancy and also plan a hysterectomy for her afterwards. However, the patient returned to Cambodia without setting a follow-up date.
“The reason I received from the patient after multiple missed appointments was that she was too busy with work.” Dr Dat explained, “But when she returned in April 2024, already over two months pregnant, I was genuinely shocked. Carrying a pregnancy with such a large fibroid in the uterus is a life-threatening gamble, fraught with a high risk of complications. The only fortunate aspect was that the pregnancy was progressing steadily,” he reflected.
After assessing the pregnancy and thoroughly explaining the risks of carrying a child alongside a massive fibroid in the uterus, Dr Dat was deeply struck by the patient’s determination to face life-threatening odds to experience motherhood for the first time. Respecting her decision, Dr Dat decided to accompany her through the challenging journey, despite the many uncertainties ahead.
At 25 weeks of pregnancy, the patient chose to relocate to Vietnam and stay near FV Hospital for close monitoring. Despite meticulous efforts to oversee her condition, Dr Dat was still deeply concerned, unable to predict the potential risks or complications that might arise during the pregnancy. The worst-case scenario feared was fibroid necrosis, which could result in excruciating pain for the patient.
Anxious and counting the days, noticing that the pregnant woman’s severely weakened condition, weighing just over 40 kg, Dr Dat decided to perform a caesarean section at 36 weeks and combined it with a hysterectomy. The team, consisting of three obstetricians and gynaecologists, two anaesthesiologists, and two surgical assistants, worked together for 2.5 hours to carry out the surgery.
The caesarean section was not without difficulties. With the entire uterus being fibrous, Dr Dat had to make a vertical “T”-shaped incision to safely deliver the baby. Pre-surgical preparation had to be meticulous, as the fibroid had caused the uterus to have an increased blood supply, significantly raising the risk of heavy bleeding during the incision.
After successfully delivering the baby, Dr Dat proceeded with the hysterectomy. Given the high risk of bleeding associated with performing a hysterectomy after a caesarean section, only a partial removal was carried out. The fibroid removed weighed 8 kg. Reflecting on the case, Dr Dat admitted that in his many years of practice, this was an exceptionally rare and challenging situation-one he had previously only encountered in medical literature.
“I have often wondered why she repeatedly decided to get pregnant despite knowing she was risking her life. Perhaps it was because she was so desperate for a child and felt that her health was still fine. She delayed treatment to feel the joy of holding her child in her arms. After this case, I understand more deeply the mission of a doctor—beyond having excellent skills, we must also understand the patient’s emotions and accompany them on their journey. The mother was saved, and the baby was born healthy—this, to me, is a complete joy and a miraculous gift of creation,” Dr Dat reflected.
At FV Hospital, such miracles are made possible not only by the expertise of top specialists and state-of-the-art medical equipment, but also due to the dedicated leadership of compassionate doctors like Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc.
Devoting his youth to patients and the medical profession
Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc, followed his family footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine from a young age. After graduating from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City and gaining three years of experience at one of the city’s leading obstetrics and gynaecology hospitals, Dr Dat decided to join FV Hospital. Over the past decade, he has played a key role in advancing the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.
In addition to enjoying the opportunity to work in his preferred language, French, Dr Dat has remained committed to FV due to its working culture, which adheres to international medical standards. The hospital’s clear direction, emphasis on human resources and advanced equipment, and well-structured processes create an environment where he can fully dedicate himself to patient care. Furthermore, doctors are encouraged to propose improvements in treatment techniques, enhancing their expertise while contributing to the broader medical community.
“The investment in infrastructure and human resources at FV meets all my expectations for a healthcare facility operating under French standards.” Dr Dat shared.
With his enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, Dr Dat became a standout participant in the Vietnam-France collaboration program (FFI) after five years of training at FV Hospital. He was sent to France to gain hands-on experience in modern medical practices at Beaujon Hospital in Paris, where he worked as an intern treating patients. During his time there, he mastered new techniques and methods, laying the groundwork for introducing innovative practices in Vietnam. These include the use of minimally invasive surgery for uterine fibroids, pelvic floor disorders, incontinence, infertility, and other women’s health issues.
Partnering with FV Hospital to achieve a shared ambition
In discussions with colleagues and at domestic and international conferences, Dr Dat passionately highlights the advancements in Vietnam’s medical system and the strengths of the hospital where he works. He emphasises that these developments offer hope to patients in Vietnam, providing them with access to high-quality care, comprehensive treatment techniques, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“Entering the Obstetrics & Gynaecology department, expectant mothers can feel like they are in a 5-star hotel,” Dr Dat shared. “Everything is designed to provide a smooth birth journey, like going on a relaxing vacation,”
This “vacation” is personalized to meet every wish, even the smallest, through the Birth Plan initiative. Expectant mothers labour in an environment tailored to their preferences, and each birth process follows a unique procedure. Notably, alongside the traditional labour process, mothers-to-be can choose the “water birth” service—a natural childbirth experience where pain is alleviated by water pressure, without the need for epidural anaesthesia. This is also one of the services that FV Hospital pioneered in Vietnam.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful “nine months and ten days” journey for the mother, the hospital provides a comprehensive maternity package, covering everything from prenatal care to postpartum support. During labour, both mother and baby may face the risks of serious obstetric complications that may develop quickly. In such emergencies, the hospital’s cross-disciplinary team of experts is always on standby, ready to consult on high-risk or complex cases.
Thanks to FV Hospital’s multidisciplinary model, newborns can remain with their mothers after birth. Obstetricians and paediatricians visit the patient’s room directly to examine and monitor the health of both mother and child. This approach provides reassurance and comfort, allowing mothers to stay close to their newborns at all times before leaving the hospital.
In addition, FV Hospital continually updates advanced equipment and treatment techniques from around the world. Recently, FV introduced the QRS-PelviCenter to Vietnam, pioneering its use in the country. This automated medical device employs advanced magnetic stimulation to train and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Widely used in the US and Europe, it offers a non-invasive, gentle and comfortable solution for treating pelvic floor disorders.
Through serious investment in facilities, advanced medical equipment, and most importantly, highly skilled human resources, FV Hospital has earned the trust of expectant mothers, with an average of 700-800 births each year. Beyond maternity services, many patients with gynaecological conditions from neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Laos also seek care at FV, where they receive successful treatment.
November 2024 marks a new milestone in the career of Vo Trieu Dat, MD, MSc as he steps into the role of Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at FV Hospital.
“As a member of the Thomson Medical Group – a Singapore-based specialized hospital group with a long history and reputation in providing high-quality healthcare services – FV Hospital, particularly the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department, has many opportunities to grow and excel. With investment and the transfer of medical management technologies from Thomson, we will continue to enhance the quality of treatment for Vietnamese patients, support expectant mothers from pregnancy to childbirth, and attract international patients for treatment,” Dr Dat affirmed.
Although in a managerial position, Dr Dat regularly performs surgeries for complicated births and actively assists with deliveries, firmly believing that “to manage well, you must understand the work. A doctor must continuously learn, strive for progress, and aim for excellence.”
Having worked with Dr Dat since 2021, Dr Ho Ngoc Khanh of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department at FV Hospital expresses great admiration for the new department head. Dr Dat is not only highly skilled but also fluent in both English and French, earning him the title of “Shining Star of FV Hospital” among colleagues.
Beyond his passion for medical expertise and artistic talent, Dr Dat’s unwavering spirit and resilience serve as a lasting inspiration for generations of young doctors.
“I believe that with his dedication and expertise, Dr Dat will continue to elevate the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department to new heights, delivering the best value to patients,” Dr Khanh affirmed.
