Gửi bình luận
DNO - Da Nang has become the first city in Vietnam to pilot the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, aiming to boost survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest cases.
As reported, 50 AEDs will be deployed across Da Nang under a project jointly launched by the Ha Noi Medical University Hospital and Vietnam’s top tech firm FPT.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Hieu, the Director of the Ha Noi Medical University Hospital, the idea was inspired by successful models in developed countries where AEDs are widely available in airports, train stations and other public places.
“AEDs not only save lives but also create a sense of safety for residents and visitors,” he said, adding that Da Nang was chosen for the trial because it is one of Vietnam’s leading tourist destinations, with over 2.53 million visitors staying in the city in the first quarter of 2025.
Time is critical in cardiac emergencies. Every minute without treatment reduces a patient’s survival chances by 10% and brain damage may occur quickly without oxygen.
AEDs, however, are designed for use by ordinary people with no medical training. Once switched on, the device gives step-by-step voice and visual instructions and only delivers a shock if medically necessary, ensuring safe operation.
The urgency of the project is underscored by Vietnam’s health statistics: an estimated 200,000 people die annually from cardiovascular diseases, accounting for one-third of national deaths.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates remain extremely low, with 96% mortality. Public awareness of CPR is also limited, at just 8.7%, compared to 70% in the UK, 56.2% in Singapore, and 40.4% in Thailand.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found survival rates can reach 74% if an AED is used within three minutes of collapse.
Yet in Vietnam, public familiarity with the devices remains minimal and their use at emergency scenes is virtually unheard of.
FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh emphasised the project’s alignment with Resolution 72 of the Politburo on strengthening healthcare.
“Health is at the core of happiness. AEDs are a practical tool to help achieve that goal,” he said.