(VOVworld) – People living on Kien Giang province’s Tho Chu island, which is 200 km from the mainland, depend on military doctors of the marine force stationed on the island when they get sick or have an accident. 

It’s easy for patients to get in to see Senior lieutenant Tran Dinh Dung, Head of the Military Medical Section and Tho Chu infirmary, but difficult for reporters like us who want to interview him. We met him after 5 p.m when he finished examining the last patient.  His suntanned face showed no sign of tiredness, just a permanent smile.  Doctor Dung said he came to Tho Chu island in October, 2010, when the infirmary was established.

Doctor Tran Dinh Dung in the medicinal herb garden

He recalled that on his second day on the island, he received an obstetrical emergency. It was 10 am on October 8, 2010, and Do Thi Diem was in the 9th month of pregnancy. She was in labor for more than 10 hours at Tho Chu clinic but could not deliver the baby. Diem was transferred to Tho Chu infirmary where the doctors conferred and decided to perform Caesarean. After an hour-long operation, Dung and his colleagues saved the mother and child. This was the first Caesarean performed on Tho Chu island by doctors of Marine Force Zone 5. Dung recalled: "I learned obstetrics in just 2 months. When we received the pregnancy case, it was stormy and we couldn’t transport the patient to the mainland. We held a consultation and decided to perform a Caesarean. The infirmary’s equipment was poor, without obstetrical tools. The doctors and nurses didn’t know each other. I am specialized in the appendix and appendicitis which is a common disease on islands. I didn’t expect to face a Caesarean section. The first time was very difficult and complex, but we were successful. Diem’s family is living on the island."

Doctor Dung in Tho Chu infirmary

Some months ago, Dung conducted an appendicitis surgery under the light of electric torches. Dung said when soldier Le Van Hong was brought to the infirmary, he was diagnosed with a digestive disorder. But while examining him, we found an inflamed appendix which had to be taken out immediately. The other doctors were out on assignment and only Dung and one nurse were on duty in the hospital.  They called one nurse from the border station to assist in the surgery. Dung said: "I anticipated the patient’s acute appendicitis and knew he could die without an operation. We borrowed military electric torches to provide light. I operated and the two nurses helped me by holding the electric torches and instrments. We completed successfully after two hours. The patient is in good health and he can play sports now."

Dung and his colleagues planted a medicinal herb garden to treat common illnesses such as influenza, high temperatures, and snake bites. He also renovates old equipment for the patients. "Recently, we received a case of cardiac collapse. We could not measure his blood pressure. We called the regional hospital for consultation. They told us to put pressure relieve hose through the anus. It’s easy to purchase the equipment at drugstores on the mainland, but we don’t have any. We used a rubber hose and sterilized it with alcohol. We have to create our own equipment instead of watching the patients die."

Doctor Dung and Minh, his adopted son

Doctor Dung has the love and respect of the soldiers and civilians on the island. Fishermen often visit him when they return home from a catch to give him fresh fish and squid. Nguyen Thi My Hiep carried her son to visit Dung, his foster father. Hiep said when she delivered Minh, he had an umbilical cord around his neck.

"I had a difficult delivery and my family wanted to have a Caesarean. We trusted doctor Dung and wanted him to operate. After the delivery, I was hospitalized for 20 days. The doctors and nurses cared for me all night when I had a high temperature. The islanders have deep gratitude for doctor Dung who has overcome many difficulties to care for the people." Hiep said.

Doctor Dung is beloved by all the islanders as he offers them wholehearted and responsible treatment and considers it his fighting duty on this remote island.