Village health workers are devoted to the people.

(Baonghean) -The Mong and Kho Mu people in Hop Thanh village (Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district, Nghe An) all know and love Mr. Moong Van Cuong - a medical worker who has spent over 20 years taking care of the health of the villagers.

Hop Thanh village currently has 200 households, mainly Mong and Kho Mu ethnic groups, 17 km from Xa Luong commune center. People's lives are still poor and transportation is extremely difficult. In the past, when people were sick, they only invited a shaman to perform a ritual to exorcise ghosts. People did not know how to speak the common language, their living conditions were unhygienic, pregnant women did not receive health care, and children were not properly cared for, growing up like "God created elephants and God created grass".

In 1991, Mr. Moong Van Cuong - a son of the village was sent by the commune to attend a 6-month village medical training course at the District Medical Center (now Tuong Duong District General Hospital). Since then, Mr. Cuong has been tirelessly, day by day, crossing mountains to each house, each person to consult and give medicine when they are sick. At first, his work encountered many difficulties because the people did not support him, but he still persistently encouraged his people to change backward customs such as worshiping ghosts, abstinence for pregnant women and the custom of giving birth at home; encouraged people not to keep buffaloes and cows in human residences, instructed people on how to live hygienically to prevent diseases... Thanks to that, people's awareness of taking care of and protecting their own and their families' health has changed a lot.

Ms. Cao Thi Lan, Head of the Commune Health Station, said: It is noteworthy that there has been no outbreak of disease in the area recently. This result is partly thanks to the important contribution of the village health staff, including Mr. Moong Van Cuong. Despite the small allowance and the large workload, regardless of day or night, rain or shine, they are still enthusiastic and responsible for the assigned work.

With their dedication and devotion to the health of the people, village health workers like Mr. Moong Van Cuong have fulfilled their duties well despite the small allowance (only equal to one or two motorbike taxi rides to the meeting at the commune health station). Their sacrifice and dedication are truly admirable.

Giang Lien