Anti-D Immunoglobulin in Hanoi
From: Ginger R. Davis <ginger.davis@temple.edu>
Reply-To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
To: vsg@u.washington.edu
Date: Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Hello all-
I'm hoping someone on the list can assist me with information
on importing Anti-D immunoglobulin to Vietnam.
Anti-D, many of you may already know, is necessary for
pregnant women with RH- blood and who have partners who are
RH+. Since a small percentage of Vietnamese have RH- blood,
it's not a widespread issue, but to those who do have negative
blood, it's very necessary.
Hanoi has two main sources of the Anti-D: International SOS
and Viet-Phap hospital. In the past, we have been able to
obtain Anti-D from both sources for use at local Vietnamese
hospitals like Benh vien C. Now, SOS says that it will be
unable to import it in the coming months. The French hospital
says, quite cryptically, that it has none, but could have it
if the patient delivers their baby at the French hospital (The
price difference for delivery at Viet-Phap vs. a local
hospital is extreme).
HCM City has also been contacted, but they have none. Hanoi's
Bach Mai hospital has a hematology unit that can help with RH-
blood transfusions, but they have not been able to acquire
Anti-D either, mainly due to the cost (each dose is about
200-250usd). An club called CLB Nhom Mau Hiem was organized
a couple of years ago to address the need for RH- blood
donations and to help in emergencies, but they also do not
have the budget to acquire a stock of Anti-D.
I would like to know if anyone on this list may have helpful
contacts or ideas on how to solve this problem. At least
three women will need Anti-D over the next four weeks, and
many more in the near future. My sincere thanks in advance
for your assistance.
Best-
Ginger
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From: Maxner, Steve <steve.maxner@ttu.edu>
Reply-To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 4:58 AM
Ginger:
I hope you and your family are well. I am sure you have already done
this but, just in case, I just forwarded your message to some contacts
we have in the US Embassy to see if they can help.
Best wishes,
Steve
Stephen Maxner, Ph.D.
Director
The Vietnam Center
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From: Ginger R. Davis <ginger.davis@temple.edu>
Reply-To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for your response and for forwarding the request.
We have talked with the old PAO (there's a new one now) about
this two years ago and also a few Embassy personnel. Because
of APEC, they told me, the VN government plus the Embassy put
in place a RH- blood drive and a list of potential donors. I
don't think Anti-D came up at that time since we focused on
emergency transfusions during our discussions rather than
Anti-D.
If someone from any Embassy can help, we'd all be very grateful.
Our best to you and your family-
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From: Ogburn, Robert W <OgburnRW@state.gov>
Reply-To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Suggest you check with new PAO Jim Warren or the CDC person (Jim would
know who it is).
Robert in Seoul
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From: Maxner, Steve <steve.maxner@ttu.edu>
Reply-To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
To: Vietnam Studies Group <vsg@u.washington.edu>
Date: Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 5:52 AM
Hi:
Just so everyone knows who in the Embassy has already been contacted, I
forwarded Ginger's message to Jim Warren (PAO) as well as Andrew Herrup,
the ESTH Officer (Env, Sci, Tech, Health) and Michael Iademarco, the
HHS/Public Health Officer (also represents CDC, I believe). Anyway, I
gave them Ginger's direct email so they can contact her directly or
perhaps can help place her into contact with someone who can help.
Best regards,
Steve
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