Ready to 'fight' against Covid at Nghe An Field Hospital No. 1

“I feel sorry for my long hair! But I cut it so it doesn't get in the way.”

On the morning of June 24, after knowing that his name was on the list of people mobilized to serve Field Hospital No. 1 to treat patientsinfected with Covid-19,Ms. Luu Thi Thoa - an employee of Hung Nguyen District Medical Center quickly asked her colleague to help her cut her long hair. Because, when entering a fierce battle, the white-shirt soldiers must have neat hair to avoid the risk of becoming a shelter for the nCoV virus.

Hung Nguyen District Medical Center temporarily suspended medical examination and treatment activities from 0:00, June 24, 2021, to rearrange the functions of departments and modify facilities to suit epidemic prevention work. Photo: Thanh Cuong

According to Ms. Thoa, her hair was taken care of by her mother and grandmother since she was a child, and then followed her through her school years. Growing up, entering the medical profession, getting married, having children, life was sometimes busy but that woman still kept her long hair. Because it was attached to her childhood, to her childhood memories and to her relatives and blood relatives. She never thought that one day she would cut her long hair...

But the epidemic was raging, following the orders of her heart, Ms. Luu Thi Thoa and many colleagues became soldiers in the field.frontline against the epidemic, directly treating and caring for Covid-19 patients. This is not the time to think about yourself, but all for the mission of fighting the pandemic, protecting the health of the people and the peace of Nghe An homeland.

Responding to the outbreak of the pandemic, adding more field hospitals specializing in screening and treating people infected with Covid-19 is an urgent requirement at present. Photo: Thanh Cuong

“I regret having to cut off my long hair, because I have painstakingly taken care of it since I was 10 years old, and it is associated with so many memories of my girlhood. But entering the war means putting aside all personal matters to win, contributing to bringing joy, peace and happiness to my homeland,” Ms. Thoa shared.

Ms. Luu Thi Thoa had her long hair cut by her colleagues before she started her duties at Field Hospital No. 1. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Female medical staff in Hung Nguyen sacrificed her hair to prepare to join the Field Hospital. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Also possessing long, silky hair, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien decided to "cut her hair" before entering the "war". According to her, that hair once captivated many young men every time they met and left a lasting impression on those who loved the gentle beauty of traditional women...

"Will return when the epidemic is over"

At the Hung Nguyen District Medical Center, people with long hair all "cut their hair" like Ms. Thoa and Ms. Hien. Coming here, we thought of the resilient and brave female Youth Volunteers who braved the storm of bombs and bullets during the anti-American war. The bravery and self-sacrificing spirit of the Youth Volunteers generation that year contributed to writing the glorious history of the nation. And this time, surely the women and men will make achievements and the gratitude will be remembered by the people.

District Health CenterHung NguyenThe center has been shut down and requisitioned by the province to be used as Field Hospital No. 1 to treat Covid-19 patients. More than 70 staff members of the center have been mobilized to perform this task. These people are forced to quarantine until the task is completed, meaning they are away from their families and have not yet determined a specific return date.

More than 70 officers and staff of Hung Nguyen District Medical Center are ready to treat Covid-19 patients at Field Hospital No. 1. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Among those 70+ doctors and nurses, there are those who have quite special circumstances but still decided to put aside their personal concerns, join their comrades, colleagues and teammates on the front line to fight the epidemic. Like the case of Ms. Nguyen Hai Thanh - whose husband is in the process of being treated for an illness, is a priority but still encourages him to take care of his health so she can go. Or like Dr. Le Huu Nam, who had just had an appendectomy a week ago and had not yet had time to rest, he also registered to work at the Field Hospital.

Ms. Cao Thi Ha will retire next year, meaning she has one year left to work, but she still signed up to join the front line in the hope of using all the experience she has accumulated to treat patients. “In my decades of work, I never thought that one day I would be on duty infield hospital. But in this urgent time, there is no time to think much, but every day I try my best to serve the people, contribute to repelling the epidemic, and bring peace to my homeland" - Ms. Ha confided.

Ho Mai Huong and Ho Thi Ha both have husbands who are soldiers, and both men have gone to the front lines. In a dangerous situation, it was the turn of the two wives to join the front lines, leaving their children with their grandparents. “I am ready to go wherever I go, I just miss and love my young children. But fighting the epidemic is an urgent task, so I have to put aside my longing and love,” Huong confided.

Doctors and nurses at Hung Nguyen District Medical Center have packed their luggage and personal belongings, ready to enter the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Many officers and staff serving at the Field Hospital have young children who must be taken care of by their grandparents while they go on duty. Some of them celebrated their children's birthdays early yesterday, because they knew that the fight against the pandemic would be long and long, and their children's birthdays would not come back in time. On the morning of June 29, 2021, Field Hospital No. 1 began operations. They were all ready for the new battle against the epidemic...

Everyone has a family to love and return to after fatigue and hardship. But in the war withCovid-19 pandemic, the frontline forces, including doctors and nurses on duty at Field Hospital No. 1, have not yet determined their return date. Before entering the battle, they sent a message: "We are on the frontline fighting the epidemic for the peace of every family. We hope everyone will unite to implement epidemic prevention and control measures to win soon, so we can return soon."

Cong Kien - Cao Nhung