Young doctor returns to the facility: 'Choose to stay when people need it'

With enthusiasm and passion for their profession, seven young doctors from key specialties from six major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City came to Con Dao for a month-long business trip.

Master, Doctor Ly Bao Duy (Thoracic Surgery - Goiter Department, Binh Dan Hospital) examines a patient in Con Dao special zone - Photo: Provided by the character

They not only bring knowledge and professional skills but also a spirit of service and a desire to contribute to the community.

From seemingly simple medical techniques on the mainland such as midwifery, regular kidney dialysis or treatment of serious injuries... which previously required people to go to the mainland for treatment, now people can access them right on the island.

Tuoi Tre talked with Master, Doctor Ly Bao Duy, Department of Thoracic Surgery - Goiter, Binh Dan Hospital, to listen to his sharing after an emotional business trip to Con Dao.

"We go because Con Dao needs us"

* This is the first time the Ho Chi Minh City health sector has implemented a rotation program sending doctors to work in Con Dao. What made you decide to participate?

- I chose to come to Con Dao special zone not because this is a special place but because we know that this place really needs support. In my position, I always put professional responsibility above personal choice. Wherever there is a lack of specialist doctors, I think I should be there.

At the same time, this is a valuable opportunity for me and other colleagues to learn from reality, contributing a small part to the health care of people in remote islands. I believe that people anywhere deserve full and dedicated health care.

After a month working in Con Dao, I clearly felt a huge difference from my previous job. Life and working conditions here are different from the hospital mainly in terms of facilities and paraclinical support. On the island, every decision needs to be concise, clear and safe because each transfer is a real "ocean crossing".

In return, I have a very close-knit, flexible team, everyone coordinates closely so the work goes smoothly. Each place has its own characteristics but the professional spirit and responsibility to the patients are the same.

* What medical difficulties were the people of Con Dao facing before the doctors arrived?

- My first impression was the sincerity of the people and the tireless efforts of my colleagues at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center. Before the arrival of doctors from other hospitals, many specialized technical services were limited, and referral to the mainland depended on the weather, means of transport and the patient's physical condition.

The biggest challenge is the geographical distance and the "golden" time in emergency care. However, the locality and the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center have prepared well in terms of organization and equipment, and when connecting telemedicine with the upper level, the professional distance has been shortened.

One emergency case that my colleagues and I will always remember is a 17-year-old male patient with multiple injuries due to a traffic accident: closed abdominal trauma, monitoring of left kidney and spleen damage, hollow organs not yet ruled out; pulse 110 beats/minute, blood pressure 90/60 mmHg. The possibility of transfer to the mainland was almost unsafe.

We immediately asked for direct instructions from Associate Professor Tran Vinh Hung, Director of Binh Dan Hospital, to hold a multidisciplinary consultation right on the island and implement treatment according to the agreed strategy. The patient gradually stabilized, no longer in danger.

To me, that is a milestone showing that with good organization, remote consultation and a united team, Con Dao can completely handle serious cases safely.

Doctors registered to go to Con Dao special zone to coordinate in handling a complicated surgery - Photo: provided by the character

The value of a doctor is to stay when people need him.

* After a month in Con Dao, what has the team done for the people, doctor?

- During my time at work, I focused on three main tasks. First of all, as a bridge, I conducted field surveys and asked for opinions from the Board of Directors of Binh Dan Hospital and the Department of Health to reactivate the operating room on Con Dao. With the hospital's cooperation, the operating room colleagues were successfully set up and put into stable operation and handled many serious cases right on the island.

In addition to direct treatment, I also organized knowledge updates for colleagues at Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center such as approaching chest-abdominal trauma, taking care of pleural drainage and transferring practical operations right on the operating table so that the on-site team can be more confident in the next cases.

* Having a special business trip, what did the doctor get in return?

- When I decided to come to Con Dao, I thought I would come to contribute, to help patients. But I received more than I gave. I learned to be patient in the face of hardship, and to be calm and flexible when conditions did not allow things to go as planned.

I realized that we do not always have enough equipment and medicine, but with dedication and perseverance, we can still bring hope to the sick. I also deeply felt the power of team spirit when everyone is working towards a common goal, no one is left behind.

The trip reminded me that the core value of the medical profession does not lie in modern equipment or material conditions, but in daring to stay - staying when people need you the most. What I cherish most after that journey is the trust of patients and the sharing and support of colleagues.

* After this trip, what message do you have for other young doctors when they go to remote areas where medical examination and treatment are still difficult?

- For young doctors, if you have the opportunity to work in remote areas, I hope you dare to go at least once. Only when you set foot there will you feel how much the people need you.

In places where conditions are difficult, you will grow very quickly - not only professionally but also in attitude, behavior and responsibility towards the job. You will learn how to adapt, how to solve problems in difficult circumstances and above all, learn to believe in the strength of the collective.

No one is perfect when working alone. But a good, disciplined and like-minded team can absolutely create miracles. I believe that it is a worthy and valuable experience for anyone who chooses to step into the medical path.

Con Dao people are reassured

Doctor Le Cong Tho - Director of the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center - said that the rotation program of specialist doctors to work has brought great significance to the work of caring for, protecting and improving the health of people in the Con Dao special zone.

Since welcoming the first rotating team of doctors on September 3, including specialists from major hospitals in the city, the program has achieved many impressive results.

The number of outpatient visits increased from an average of 60 visits/day to 150, even reaching 200 visits/day. Inpatient admission and treatment increased sharply, many complicated cases in specialties such as internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery... were diagnosed and treated effectively right on the island, contributing to significantly reducing the need to transfer hospitals to the mainland, saving time, costs and improving treatment efficiency for people.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bac-si-tre-ve-co-so-chon-o-lai-khi-nguoi-dan-can-20251015080826329.htm