Touching images of doctors and nurses at Nghe An Field Hospital No. 1

"Test by fire" in the most dangerous place

Given the extremely complex developments ofCovid-19 epidemic, the number of Covid-19 patients increases every day, Nghe An province has decided to establish Nghe An Field Hospital No. 1 at Hung Nguyen District Medical Center to admit and treat Covid-19 patients. The hospital has been in operation since June 29, with the motto of "lightning speed" in fighting the epidemic, in just a few days it has been fully equipped with facilities and medical supplies to admit and treat Covid-19 patients.

On the evening of June 30, in the closed Zalo group of Field Hospital No. 1, a photo of Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha appeared with sweat soaking her hair, her face imprinted with an N95 mask, and her hands wrinkled after taking off her gloves. The photo moved many people because of their sympathy for their colleague.

Image of Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha after completing her shift. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Unable to contain our emotions, the image of Dr. Ha kept us up all night. Finally, we decided to text Dr. Pham Hong Phuong - Deputy Director of the Provincial General Hospital, currently the Head of the Special Task Force ofHealth service, performing professional support tasks at Nghe An Field Hospital No. 1. We would like to witness the work at the "top danger" place in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic.

It was just past 7am, although the weather had been milder and less severe over the past two days, it still felt extremely hot and uncomfortable. Standing in front of the closed iron gate with the words “Special quarantine area. No entry without permission”, we could feel the extent of the spread and the dangerous nature of the epidemic in this place.

Nurse Luu Thi Thoa's hands are wrinkled from wearing protective gloves and sweating profusely. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Quickly donning our personal protective equipment, we entered the hospital’s administrative area. Although it was only the administrative area, considered a “clean” area, we could already sense the danger lurking for those present.

Contrary to our worries, the doctors and nurses still appeared calm in their usual medical uniforms with masks covering their faces. The entire space was neat, tidy and especially extremely quiet. If you just looked at it, few people would think that behind the lush green coconut trees and the sign “Special isolation area. Do not enter” was a place where more than 30 Covid-19 patients transferred from other hospitals were being treated.medical facilityall over Nghe An province come here for treatment.

At the end of their shift, taking off their protective clothing, the doctors and nurses were drenched in sweat. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

The treatment area is arranged in a closed system, with separate flow for medical staff and patients, and only one-way traffic from the “clean” area to the “dirty” area. Staff entering the patient area must wear personal protective equipment in the clean changing room. After examining and performing medical orders for the patient, they will change into protective equipment in the dirty changing room and shower before returning to the administrative area.

Patients are triaged andisolationDo not enter the administrative and staff areas. The patient rooms are equipped with a ventilation system that blows from the “clean” area to the “dirty” area.

Behind the silence of this space is a place to treat Covid-19 patients. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Talking to Dr. Pham Hong Phuong, we wanted him to tell us about the hardships and difficulties of himself and his colleagues in the Special Task Force in the past few days. Dr. Phuong smiled gently: “We all consider this a place of “testing fire” and the hardest working people are the team of doctors, nurses and cleaning staff working directly in the patient treatment area. You should talk to the doctors and nurses who have just finished their shift...”.

Warriors with "steel" spirit

At the Administrative Area ofField Hospital No. 1, we also met Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoa - Director of the Stroke Center (Provincial General Friendship Hospital), Deputy Head of the Special Task Force when he had just directed professional work at the treatment area for mild and moderate patients.

Dr. Hoa is the "leader" of the army of 52 volunteer soldiers from the Provincial General Hospital who have been supporting Ha Tinh in recent times. Before he could return home, he was again entrusted by his superiors with the task of providing professional support to Field Hospital No. 1.

Doctors and nurses at Field Hospital No. 1 dispense medicine to Covid-19 patients being treated there. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

When asked about the condition of the patients being treated here, Dr. Hoa said: “The patients are currently stable. Most of them are optimistic and confident in their treatment. Severe cases are closely monitored and consulted online with higher levels to provide timely treatment.”

We asked: "What worries you most right now?" Dr. Hoa said: "I am worried that there will be more cases in the coming days."Covid-19 patienthospitalized. Because through monitoring information, we see that there are quite a few people in the community who are F1. More than ever, we just hope that the epidemic will be pushed back soon...".

Doctors and nurses visit each room to check on patients being treated. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Here, we also met Master, Doctor Pham Huu Tuan (Provincial General Hospital) and Doctor Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (Hung Nguyen Medical Center) on duty at the treatment area for mild and moderate patients. Last night, they were on duty, but this morning, they and their colleagues went out to clean up. Talking to Ms. Ha, we learned that wearing protective clothing throughout the entire shift is no different than taking an overtime sauna bath.

With that outfit, when the weather is hot, it is even more miserable. Anyone who is weak will not be able to stand it for an hour because of the difficulty in moving, the stuffiness, and difficulty breathing... However, while wearing it, the staff must ensure the progress of patient admission and treatment. Dr. Tuan added: "We are used to it now! Sometimes, when the shift is over, taking off the protective suit feels like a load of sweat has been released."

During their duties, all communication between doctors and nurses is done by walkie-talkie. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

While we were talking, Dr. Ha's phone vibrated, indicating a text message. She showed us the phone screen with a family photo and explained: "Here, according to the regulations, you are not allowed to bring your phone when you are on duty. All consultations and coordination inside the treatment area and outside are done via walkie-talkie. Sometimes when I miss my child's shift, it's time for him to sleep, so I show him the photo to ease my longing."

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha also told some friendsNursing, including Thoa, Hong, and Nga, although they were very tired and were allowed to rest, they still asked to come back because they felt sorry for those who had been inside for too long. In particular, Luu Thi Thoa - a nurse who appeared with a photo of her asking her colleague to cut her long hair before taking up her assignment at Field Hospital No. 1, when she came back her face was as pale as a leaf. Her exhausted appearance made many people think she was... a patient.

Like the doctors directly treating the patients, Head Nurse Ngo Sy Vu (Nghi Loc General Hospital) stepped out of the personal protective equipment changing room, sweating profusely, his face flushed. We asked: “What is the most impressive thing you have seen while working at the Field Hospital?” Nurse Vu looked at him and immediately replied: “Honor and responsibility!”

A special expert team from Nghe An Department of Health and the Board of Directors of Field Hospital No. 1 held an online consultation on a serious case. Photo: Hung Nguyen District Medical Center

Brief conversations with the doctors and nurses at the field hospital were occasionally interrupted by the sound of ambulance sirens as patients were rushed into the hospital. The white coats flew away, each with their own tasks…

Leaving Nghe An Field Hospital No. 1 at almost noon, the meals placed on the field table were about to be brought to the departments, rooms, and divisions. For us, the image of the doctors and nurses in personal protective equipment was deeply imprinted in our minds with admiration and love. They are truly "white-shirt warriors", brave warriors full of compassion on the front line against the Covid-19 epidemic./.

Cao Nhung - Cong Kien