Blood freezing technique, milk with high protein win KOVA Prize
A technique for freezing to preserve red blood cells with glycerol at -80 degree Celsius for 10 years and a milk with high protein were awarded the KOVA Prize on December 17.
HCM City (VNA) - A technique for freezing to preserve red bloodcells with glycerol at -80 degree Celsius for 10 years and a milk with highprotein which is the first product made by a Vietnamese nutritionist are thetwo outstanding scientific research works awarded the KOVA Prize in thecategory of Creative Ideas for Applied Science on December 17.
The KOVA Prize, whichwas set up by former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh and Associate Prof. DrNguyen Thi Hoe, chairwoman of KOVA Paint Group in 2002, is annually held tohonour individuals and groups that have made excellent contributions in thefields of science, education, charity and other categories.
The technique forfreeze-preservation of red blood cells with glycerol at -80 degree Celsius for10 years was researched by a group of doctors from the HCM City BloodTransfusion and Hematology Hospital.
Dr Phu Chinh Dung, thehospital’s head, said: “Traditional techniques could store blood cells for 42days only.”
The freezing techniquefor longer blood storing is useful for patients who have rare blood types andneed blood in an emergency, Dung said.
The hospital has anumber of people with these blood types, but still fail to meet the emergencydemand, he added.
In Vietnam, seven of10,000 people have rare blood types, he said.
The milk with high proteinwas made by Professor Ta Thi Tuyet Mai, head of Gia Dinh People Hospital’sNutrition Ward in the city.
Soya milk mixedwith full cream powdered milk as well as probiotics is served for patients withserious health problems, lactose intolerance and those using feeding tubes, Maisaid.
“The price of this milkis one fourth that of others in the market,” she said, adding that it helpsimprove nutrition for hundreds of patients.
The 14th KOVAPrize’s awards at the category of Beautiful Living were presented to sixindividuals and groups for their wonderful actions which have inspired otherpeople to follow, including Peaceful Village under Tu Du Obstetric Hospital inthe city, which raises hundreds of orphans with disabilities and victims ofAgent Orange.
Moreover, 16 studentswith excellent achievements in scientific research were awarded.
At the awardingceremony, 110 scholarships were presented to university students who are poorand have outstanding academic achievements.-VNA
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The 14th KOVA Prize’s award ceremony (Photo: VNA) 
