'White-coat warriors' for public health

During the recent historic floods, when many areas of Thai Nguyen province were submerged in water, Thai Nguyen Central Hospital remained lit day and night. Here, doctors and nurses steadfastly remained at their posts, not allowing interruption in their work of treating and saving people, with the spirit of "The hospital is a fortress protecting the health and lives of patients".

Leaders and doctors of Thai Nguyen Central Hospital visited and gave gifts to patients being treated at the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department during the recent flood.

Injuries and illnesses increase in floods

According to a quick report from Thai Nguyen Central Hospital, during the rainy and flood days, the Emergency Department received 415 patients, of which 160 were trauma and accident cases, accounting for the highest rate.

Many cases of slipping, roof collapse, collision with hard or floating objects, leading to broken bones, concussions, and internal organ damage. Doctors say the risk of mechanical injuries increases among people participating in rescues and moving assets in deep, slippery environments without protective equipment.

Along with that, gastrointestinal diseases also increased, with 100 hospitalizations. The water source after the flood was polluted, containing many bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, Leptospira..., which are the main causes of diarrhea and acute enteritis. The humid weather, combined with interrupted treatment, caused many people with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... to be hospitalized again due to relapse and loss of control.

According to doctors, many people have to cross the flood, rent boats to go to the hospital for dialysis or follow-up check-ups, because just a few hours of delay can threaten their lives.

Mr. NTV (in Quan Trieu ward) recalls his journey in the middle of the vast water: On the day of my regular dialysis, the water had not receded, so I had to hire a boat to go to the hospital. I had to go, missing a session would have put my life in danger.

At the Orthopedic Trauma Department, Mr. NVC (Phan Dinh Phung Ward) was still in shock: The water rose so fast, I was moving things to the second floor and slipped and fell. The neighbors had to break the door and put up a ladder to save me.

Orthopedic Traumatology Department (Thai Nguyen Central Hospital) re-examines the patient after surgery.

According to Dr. Trieu Quoc Trang, Deputy Head of the Orthopedic Trauma Department, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a torn left Achilles tendon, the wound was 4-5cm deep. Doctors performed surgery, stitched it up, and provided continuous care; the patient's health is now stable but he is still haunted by the terrible flood.

Straining to keep the patient alive

At the Intensive Care - Anti-Poison Department, during the peak of the rainy and flood days, the department received and treated 40 patients with wound infections, cellulitis, and blood infections. Some cases of prolonged immersion in water led to exhaustion, dehydration, and general weakness. In the situation of power outages, interrupted communications, and many roads being cut off, the hospital became an "isolated oasis" in the middle of the flood.

Many patients are eligible for discharge but their families cannot pick them up, causing the number of treatment beds to exceed capacity. There are emergency cases where doctors have to make the decision to perform emergency surgery when they cannot contact their relatives. “In such situations, responsibility and medical ethics must come first,” a doctor shared.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, Deputy Head of the Department of Intensive Care and Anti-Poison, emotionally recounted the case of a patient with hypertension (born in 1961, Linh Son ward) who suffered severe septic shock and multiple organ failure after many days of post-flood cleanup: "We applied continuous blood filtration techniques, combined with intensive resuscitation and comprehensive care, with only one hope: to save the patient's life" - Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, shared

Doctors from the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department treat a patient with severe septic shock and multiple organ failure after many days of cleaning up after the flood.

During those days, many medical staff, although their homes were flooded, still stayed at the hospital, working 24/7. They were both doctors and operators, cleaning, disinfecting, and ensuring the safety of the treatment area. Some departments also organized “field kitchens” to share hot meals with patients and their relatives. Despite being tired, everyone encouraged each other: “As long as there are patients, we must continue to try.”

When the water began to recede, the hospital immediately increased the number of examination tables and rearranged the admission process to ensure that people could be examined quickly and avoid congestion. Dr. Nguyen Thu Huong, Head of the Examination Department, said: Those who lost their documents and health insurance cards were given maximum support. They only needed to declare their information and make a temporary deposit, which would be refunded after completing the procedures.

Together to keep the "health fortress"

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Cong Hoang, National Assembly Delegate of the XV term, Party Secretary, Director of Thai Nguyen Central Hospital, said: The circulation of storm No. 11 caused flooding, power outages, water outages, and communication interruptions, but with the timely support of the Ministry of Health , and the spirit of solidarity and initiative of all staff, the Hospital still maintained medical examination and treatment for more than 2,000 inpatients.

Thai Nguyen Central Hospital ensures community health care after floods.

When clean water was scarce, the Hospital proactively requested the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police (Thai Nguyen Provincial Police) and Hanoi to support water transportation to ensure continuous operations. At the same time, thousands of free meals and necessities were prepared for patients, relatives and medical staff on duty around the clock.

In addition, disinfection, environmental sanitation, and medical waste treatment have been strictly enhanced to prevent the risk of infection after the flood. Hands that are used to syringes and scalpels now hold tools to clean up puddles and wipe down hospital rooms. Such dedication and responsibility have contributed to keeping the “health fortress” operating safely and steadily during the flood.

In particular, right after the flood receded, from October 12, the Hospital organized free tetanus vaccination for people in the whole province. By October 15, nearly 3,000 safe injections had been performed, which were highly appreciated by the people. This is not only a routine medical activity, but also a symbol of humanity and responsibility for public health in difficult times.

The natural disaster has passed, but the spirit of the doctors for the people's lives still remains, a living testament to the bravery, humanity and medical ethics of the "white-shirt soldiers" of Thai Nguyen Central Hospital, who silently maintain the "health fortress" in the midst of the flood, so that the lamp of humanity never goes out.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/y-te/202510/chien-si-ao-trang-vi-suc-khoe-cong-dong-6dd133e/