PANO - Doctors of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion has, for the first time, successfully conducted a non-relative umbilical cord blood transplant.

The patient, Hoang Thi Thuy Linh, 28, from Quang Binh province, contracted acute leukemia.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri presenting flowers to patient Linh

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tri, Head of the institute, said the transplant took place on December 30th 2014. The patient is recovering and the umbilical cord blood cells are in stable condition.

The operation cost nearly VND1 billion, including 50 percent from the health insurance. She will be discharged from hospital next week, he added.

Translated by Trung Thanh