Lesson 6: Shining Medical Ethics
Upon arriving at Song Tu Tay Island, we were surprised by the well-equipped medical clinic. The clinic is solidly built, clean, and beautiful, with four rooms and six beds, and notably, it even has its own operating room. Lieutenant Colonel Vu Van Cuong, the island's commander, said: "Currently, the clinic has seven doctors and nurses, including one surgeon and one internal medicine doctor. Recently, a nurse from the 4th Naval Region Command was also assigned to perform duties here…"
Captain, doctor, and head of the infirmary, Kieu Duc Vinh – a young man from Hanoi with a bright smile – greeted us. Vinh proudly recounted the achievements of 2012: 1,016 people were examined and given medication, including 726 fishermen; 50 emergency cases were handled, including over 20 surgeries, all of which were performed safely. In addition to equipment provided by the Navy, the infirmary also has equipment from the rescue team. However, in reality, the equipment is limited, consisting of a black and white ultrasound machine, an electrocardiogram machine, and a monitor for vital signs. There are no X-ray machines or blood chemistry analyzers yet.
Captain, Doctor Kieu Duc Vinh. Photo: Minh Thong
All patients admitted to the infirmary receive dedicated care and are treated using all available methods and techniques. The most common surgical interventions here are appendectomy and surgery for limb injuries frequently encountered by fishermen, such as crush wounds on fingers, hands, and toes. In terms of internal medicine, emergency care is also provided promptly; last August, the infirmary saved a fisherman from Quang Ngai who suffered an acute myocardial infarction. In addition, many cases of fishermen suffering from decompression sickness due to deep-sea diving, hypertension, or cholangitis have been treated.
Speaking of memorable incidents in their profession, the doctors and nurses at Song Tu Tay Clinic seemed somewhat apprehensive. Doctor Vinh confided: “We talk about the happy stories outside the clinic, but here we still feel regret and remorse… It happened in October and November 2012, two fishermen from Phu Yen province, fishing in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, were using an ice crusher to preserve fish. While using the ice, they accidentally put their hands in. One man was brought to the clinic two days later, his hand was severely damaged and necrotic, requiring amputation. The other man, about two hours after the accident, was brought to the clinic and four fingers were saved, but two were severely injured. After careful care, his condition stabilized and he was safely sent home. Having to amputate a part of our compatriots' bodies, we felt immense pain…”
As for Dr. Nguyen Trong The at the Song Tu Tay medical clinic, he vividly remembers the story of a fisherman from Quang Ngai who, while fishing near the island, developed appendicitis. He was brought to the island for surgery and had his stitches removed after seven days. After recovering and preparing for discharge, the fisherman kept pacing back and forth nervously. He met Dr. Vinh and explained, “We were on the ship, so we didn’t spend any money, and we didn’t bring any to pay the hospital fees. I’ll pay you later.” Hearing this, the doctors and nurses chuckled and explained that the Party, State, and military policy on the island meant that emergency care and treatment were completely free. The fisherman understood and repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the Party, State, and the doctors and nurses.
Emergency surgery performed on a fisherman on Song Tu Tay Island after a maritime accident. Photo: MT
Captain and doctor Kieu Duc Vinh shared: "The assignment of doctors and medical staff to Song Tu Tay Island for fixed terms is due to the Military Medical Institute 108. However, in reality, most of the military medical personnel in the institute volunteered, hoping to work on the island, considering it a great honor, so everyone is highly determined to do their job well. Before going to the island, the doctors and medical staff all received training and supplemented their knowledge about diseases they rarely encountered or dealt with… On the island, to ensure good treatment and healthcare for both soldiers and civilians, both human resources and medicine are needed. However, it must be said that equipment is still lacking and quickly deteriorates. Medicine is available according to quotas, but there are still excesses and shortages compared to the actual diseases encountered."
At the Sinh Ton Island Commune Health Station, in 2012, the station provided medical examinations and treatment to nearly 700 people and distributed medicine to officers, soldiers, and residents on the island, including timely emergency treatment for 2 cases of appendicitis. This is truly a significant step forward in caring for and protecting the health of the military and civilians in this storm-prone archipelago.
Lieutenant, Doctor Dinh Quang Thanh, Head of the Sinh Ton Island Commune Health Station, said: "At the health station, we don't have blood testing equipment or X-ray machines. We rely on our professional experience to diagnose clinical diseases, so the doctors always overcome difficulties and are creative in their work... In addition to their professional work, the station's staff always actively participate in patrols and guard duties to ensure the sovereignty of the sea and islands."
The medical staff at the military medical station in Truong Sa are all very young doctors and medical assistants from military hospitals who volunteered to work on the island. Specialist doctors who come to the island become general practitioners, taking on the duties of obstetricians and pediatricians. At Song Tu Tay, three years ago, the infirmary helped a mother give birth to a healthy baby, welcoming a new citizen of Truong Sa district. Currently, the military medical forces on the islands can effectively handle treatment, emergency care, and major surgeries for soldiers and civilians on the islands, such as acute appendicitis and acute pancreatitis surgeries. This is a great effort by these doctors – soldiers of Uncle Ho – in a place where medicine is scarce and hygiene and sterilization conditions are difficult to ensure.
During this trip to Truong Sa, we met soldiers who have been guarding our homeland's islands and seas for 14-15 years, as well as local people living there and many fishermen fishing in our waters. They all expressed their admiration for the military doctors and soldiers.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Van, a resident of Song Tu Tay Island, expressed her gratitude: “We and our children on the island receive regular medical check-ups from the doctors, even at night. Words cannot express our gratitude; we will forever remember the kindness of the military doctors.” Everyone in the delegation was delighted by the progress in healthcare for officers, soldiers, and civilians on the islands, and hoped that in the near future there would be a general hospital in Truong Sa and, especially, a hospital ship to travel to all the islands to provide emergency care for serious illnesses…
Thanh Chung (Email from Truong Sa)