Doctor Chau Duong gives free TB counseling  to disadvantaged people. (Photo: VOV)

Last December, more than 2,700 people in EA’HLeo district of Dak Lak received free medical consultations, tuberculosis tests, and treatment under a program of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the provincial Lung Hospital.

People were given free medicine, radiography, and tests for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis.

“I will do my best to contribute to Dak Lak province’s tuberculosis control program. I hope to put an end to tuberculosis soon to improve community health, and increase the life expectancy of local people,” said Duong.

12-year-old Rmah HLia left school 3 years ago due to financial difficulties. She and her mother have received free medical exams thanks to the provincial tuberculosis control program. Her mother, Rmah H’Phiar, said, “My husband died from tuberculosis 3 years ago. Thanks to this program, my daughter and I have received free medical check-ups and early diagnosis.”

Vietnam is among the 30 countries with the highest burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the world. The country has been working hard to reduce fatalities and prevent TB in the community in the hope of ending the disease by 2030. Doctor Chau Duong and his colleagues are doing their best to contribute to this effort.

“Doctor Duong is dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis. As director of the province’s Lung Hospital, he has taken strong measures to support poor patients with free health insurance, and free medical exams,” said Doctor Tran Van Hieu, head of EA’ HLeo commune’s health clinic.

Chau Duong and his colleagues aim to end tuberculosis in Dak Lak by 2028, two years earlier than the deadline set by the Vietnamese government.