Doctor, PhD Bui Ngoc Lan, Director of the Cancer Centre under the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. (Photo courtesy of doctor Bui Ngoc Lan)

"No one in my family pursued medicine. I was weak and frequently sick when I was small. My parents also suffered from poor health, which inspired me during high school to become a doctor and help others,” said Doctor, PhD Bui Ngoc Lan, Director of the Cancer Centre under the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. 

“Later, during my medical residency, I worked in many departments. During the time when I was at the Oncology Department, I saw many children suffering from severe illnesses. At that time, Vietnam's medical field had not yet advanced to provide cancer treatments. Seeing those lovely children without a chance of survival made me feel deeply regretful."

Twenty-five year ago, Lan began working in the Oncology Department, which later became the Oncology Center. At that time, the department had only a few doctors with limited medical equipment, and few research materials. Seeing many children struggling against diseases, Dr. Lan determined to work and study for a PhD in pediatrics and to participate in specialized training programs abroad.

Lan said what she feared most was encountering cases where, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, a child's life could not be saved.

"There are many children I treated for two or three years, and I became very close to them, like family members. If a child passed away, I felt greatly sad. That motivated me to pursue advanced medical techniques from the world to save other children. If I gave up, I would lose the chance to save more young lives."

Lan is known for her revolutionary technique in pediatric cancer treatment: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Thanks to this procedure, many pediatric patients have successfully undergone stem cell transplants, recovered, and now lead normal lives. Lan, as long as there is a chance to save a child, she will never give up.

"I was one of the first doctors from the hospital to receive training in stem cell transplantation in South Korea. When we returned, we performed our first case, which was extremely critical. We succeeded and that child patient is now healthy. Embracing new medical techniques always comes with challenges. If we don't accept those difficulties, we will never succeed. Only by accessing global advanced medical advances, can we give patients a real chance to survive," said Lan.

Under Dr. Bui Ngoc Lan's leadership, the Oncology Center has implemented international-standard techniques, successfully treating many children with rare cancers.

Doctor Bui Ngoc Lan gives a child patient a medical check-up. (Photo: VOV2)

With 30 years dedicated to her profession, Lan has always been concerned about the low survival rate of pediatric cancer patients in Vietnam. This drives her to actively participate in international pediatric oncology training programs to enhance her expertise.

She has published three international research papers and 68 articles in reputable Vietnamese medical journals. Currently, she is conducting research on neuroblastoma, with the hope of providing free advanced cancer testing for underprivileged patients, that is currently very expensive.

In 2020, Dr. Bui Ngoc Lan was honored with the title "Outstanding Physician," and last year, she was one of 11 individuals awarded the prestigious Vietnam Women's Award.