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Reviving a life

Watching little Do Tue Minh (affectionately called “Co”) walk normally today, it’s hard to imagine the struggles she once faced on the brink of life and death. She was born in 2020 with Pfeiffer Syndrome Type 2 - a rare genetic disorder that causes hydrocephalus, premature closure of the skull sutures, fused joints, and spinal deformities.

A thank-you card to the doctors written by Co's mother. (Photo: Citizen & Study Promotion Magazine)

Her mother, Do Thi Tho, recalls the early days of uncertainty: "When my daughter was born, I immediately noticed her face was different: her nasal bridge was deeply sunken, and her joints were stiff. By the second month, her head began to grow abnormally large. We took her to many hospitals, but none had the equipment necessary for surgery."

Experts explain that the optimal time to expand the skull for brain development is between six months and one year of age. However, it was not until Co was 10 months old that her first surgery was performed and unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.

"Whether we chose to operate or not, we had to face very high risks. But if we tried surgery, there was at least a chance. Without it, there was no chance at all," shared Tho.

In this challenging journey, NUOY became a lifeline for Co. The team of experts from NUOY brought advanced equipment to Vietnam, including cranial springs and cranial distractors - modern technologies that allow the skull to expand following brain growth.

Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of NUOY, recalls: "We realized there was only a very short window for intervention. If we did not act promptly, we might miss the opportunity forever."

Over the first three years of her life, Co underwent four surgeries. After the final procedure to remove the screws, her skull developed normally, and her cognitive abilities and awareness were completely intact.

Tho expressed her gratitude: "Now, I no longer have to hope. I am completely confident that my child will live a full and fulfilling life."

In a heartfelt card to the doctors, she wrote: "As a mother, I gave birth to my child. But it was the doctors who gave her life."

25 years of sowing the seeds of life

NUOY’s origins trace back to the Reconstructive International Cooperative Effort (R.I.C.E), a project founded in 2000 by Professor Joseph M. Rosen of Dartmouth University, US. This initiative brought together volunteer surgeons from across the US, with their first destination being the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics.

A surgery by NUOY doctors and colleagues. (Photo: NUOY)

Over 19 years (2000-2019), R.I.C.E provided critical care to thousands of children with rare congenital disabilities that required advanced surgical techniques. These included conditions such as clubfoot, craniosynostosis, Pierre Robin sequence, craniofacial syndromes, and nerve paralysis. On average, the program examined 400 pediatric patients and performed surgeries on 150 children annually at major hospitals such as the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, Saint Paul Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital, and Hong Ngoc Hospital.

While these achievements were significant, a question remained: how could these efforts become sustainable and extend beyond surgeries? This concern led to the establishment of NUOY in 2020, with a broader mission: not only to save lives but also to enhance Vietnam’s overall medical capacity.

Dr. Phuong Nguyen (far left), Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of NUOY, takes a photo with his patients. (Photo: NUOY)

NUOY focuses on training, transferring technology, supporting medical research, and donating modern equipment. What began as a volunteer initiative with short-term missions has now evolved into a long-term partnership with Vietnam’s healthcare sector. By empowering local doctors to master advanced techniques, NUOY has expanded treatment opportunities for countless patients.

Looking ahead, NUOY has plans to expand its operations in southern Vietnam over the next five years. In 2025, NUOY will collaborate with three major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, including Children’s Hospital 2, City Children’s Hospital, and the Central Odonto-Stomatology Hospital, along with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, to establish a Craniofacial Surgery Center. This facility will help reduce treatment costs and alleviate the burden on healthcare facilities in northern Vietnam.

NUOY is also enhancing its scholarship programs, covering 100% of the costs for Vietnamese doctors to train in reconstructive surgery and hospital management in the US. Besides, local doctors will have opportunities to attend international medical conferences, gradually elevating Vietnam’s standing in global medical research and practice.

NUOY also plans to expand its services across Southeast Asia, starting with Laos. In particular, Vietnamese doctors trained by NUOY will become second-generation instructors, transferring their knowledge and skills to colleagues throughout the region. This initiative will create a sustainable value chain in reconstructive medicine.

A single surgery can change the destiny of a child. A well-designed training program can transform an entire generation. Over the past 25 years, NUOY has achieved both: reviving lives and planting the seeds for the future of Vietnam’s healthcare system. With every step forward, NUOY hopes that no child will have to live without the chance for a radiant smile.

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