Sports hospital – a new development for professional sports

Despite having only 50 beds, the inauguration of the sports hospital, which is equal to a second grade hospital, on May 10 has is a significant development due to the presence of a doping test lab.

Vietnamese sports finally has a hospital specialising in sports after nine years of development. The building of the hospital, located near the My Dinh national stadium, will open up good prospects for the treatment of injuries suffered by talented Vietnamese sportsmen. The hospital will create new injury treatment options for Vietnamese athletes, who have so far had to travel abroad to receive medical treatment. Also, the opening of the hospital may give hopes to injured athletes, who may avoid an early career end.

The formation of a 50-bed hospital began in 1998 when officials from the physical education and sports service realised highly competitive sports also required modern medicine. 

The successful operations by German doctor Moss for Vietnamese star footballers such as Hong Son and Huynh Duc, and Mr Moss’ assistance at the Sports Medicine Centre led the idea to build the hospital.   

PhD Le Quy Phuong, director of the Sports Hospital, said: “The establishment of the hospital is a new develop for Vietnamese sports. It will also help settle the difficulties in injury treatment and recovery for Vietnamese athletes.”

With a total investment of VND 52 billion from the State budget, the hospital, whose first development phase was completed after five years’ construction, may help athletes get rid of injuries, and develop nutritional menu for athletes with modern equipment. The doping test lab is an example. Vietnamese sports have dreamed of such a modern lab for years. Now, it has become true.

Mr Phuong said the lab will play an important role in the hospital as it will help settle doping suspicions. With the lab, Vietnamese sports will avoid such a sad story about four athletes stripped gold medals at the 22nd SEA Games. However, so far, the lab has been able to test for testeroit.

In terms of human resources, in 2006, 13 doctors and medical workers of the hospital were trained to provide their services when the hospital opens. The hospital then will add around 20 sports medical experts have joined training courses at the Military Institute and the Institute for Physical Education and Sports.

Despite many difficulties, the formation of the hospital will become the first brick in the foundation for Vietnamese professional sports.

Nhan dan