A female doctor dedicated to a special mission.
Choosing infectious diseases – a field frequently encountered with unusual cases, facing numerous outbreaks, challenges, and risks – Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong (Vinh City General Hospital) chose a career in infectious diseases. However, with a commitment to dedicated service for public health, these difficulties have become a driving force, motivating her to remain committed and devoted to the field.
Overcoming challenges for a noble mission.
Dr. Hoai Thuong chose to work in the Department of Tropical Diseases, which means she faces many daily risks of infection due to exposure to infectious agents through the respiratory tract, blood, or direct contact. Although protective measures are in place, the actual working conditions are not yet optimal; requiring doctors and nurses in the department to strictly adhere to infection control procedures to protect themselves and ensure patient safety.
On the other hand, the disease is constantly evolving, making treatment increasingly complex. The immense workload is one of the challenges that Dr. Thuong and her colleagues face every day.
Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Hoai Thuong said it was an unprecedented experience in her career. One case that she and her colleagues will never forget was a female patient (around 40 years old) who was admitted with severe respiratory failure. The patient was the mother of two children, and upon learning she had severe COVID-19, she burst into tears and panicked, worried about the safety of her entire family.
Facing a dangerous case with a high risk of infection, unable to encourage the patient, only able to look at each other through masks and face shields, Dr. Thuong felt even more deeply the pain the patient was enduring and became even more determined to save them. Each day was a battle between life and death. All personnel, machinery, and equipment were mobilized to treat the patient. After many days of the doctors' utmost efforts, the patient miraculously recovered.
Dr. Thuong still vividly remembers the moment a patient was discharged from the hospital, returning home to their family, their eyes filled with happiness and gratitude. At that very moment, the female doctor understood more deeply the power of solidarity, dedication, empathy, sharing, and companionship with patients – the energy that conquers any life-or-death race.
In fulfilling their noble mission of caring for patients' health, doctors sometimes have to sacrifice themselves. Recalling the time when she was pregnant with her first child but still participated in daily examinations and treatments of patients with many risk factors for infection, Dr. Thuong still vividly remembers the anxiety she felt when she herself contracted an infectious disease: “Although I was conscious of preventing infection, unfortunately I still contracted chickenpox when I was 36 weeks pregnant, about to give birth. The whole family was very worried about the health of both mother and baby. But with my professional knowledge to take care of my own health, along with the help and encouragement of the hospital leadership, departments, and the concern of colleagues – those who are fighting the epidemic with me every day; fortunately, my baby and I safely got through it.”
Despite knowing that the working environment always carries a high risk of infection, with the enthusiasm of youth and the heart of a physician fulfilling her mission of service, Dr. Thuong has been working at the Department of Tropical Diseases - Vinh City General Hospital for 10 years.
Efforts to improve skills
Having spent so much time with thousands of patients, facing countless challenges, the recovery and joy of the patients have ignited a great motivation, helping her to remain steadfast in her belief and continuously strive to improve her skills.
Dr. Thuong shared: "I am fortunate to work at a hospital that is always at the forefront of applying digital transformation and updating the latest trends in healthcare. Together with my colleagues, we constantly improve and refine the process of approaching, examining, and treating patients, especially complex infectious cases; to ensure safety during contact and protect the health of the medical team and minimize cross-infection among patients."
Accordingly, during the Covid-19 pandemic and other seasonal and highly contagious diseases such as measles, influenza, and tuberculosis, the Department of Tropical Diseases developed a patient management model by classifying patients from the initial examination stage at the respiratory clinic; providing separate pathways for patients with highly contagious diseases; implementing the "four on-site" principle (prevention, isolation and treatment; facilities, equipment, medicines, and protective gear; funding and human resources); and becoming a model that colleagues at other hospitals have emulated.
Following the principle of "prevention is better than cure," alongside the task of caring for and treating patients, Dr. Thuong and her colleagues always pay special attention to raising awareness and promoting disease prevention among each patient, to protect themselves and the community.
Despite her busy work schedule, Dr. Thuong always strives to make the most of her free time to participate in research projects and collaborate professionally with higher-level medical units to update and hone her knowledge and skills. This contributes to improving the quality of treatment and care for patients, minimizing complications and the risk of disease transmission.
Despite being involved in a difficult and challenging job that demands dedication and sacrifice, contributing to a special field—not only caring for patients' health but also preventing the spread of disease and helping protect the community—is, for Dr. Hoai Thuong, a special and noble mission to which she can wholeheartedly dedicate herself!
