The story of a doctor following his father's example and following his career of healing and saving people in the white sand area

Following his father's example, he followed the profession of saving lives.

Doctor Pham Hong Thai, Head of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Department, Quang Ninh District General Hospital, Quang Binh Province, remembers clearly the memories of his beloved father, Mr. Pham Duc Dung - Former Head of Hai Ninh Commune Health Station, Quang Ninh District.

Doctor Thai said that in the 80s of the last century, Hai Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district was a poor coastal area of ​​the district.

Although it is about 6km from the district center, it is isolated. There are no roads, so people have to walk on sand dunes, dodge bushes and go through casuarina forests to leave the commune.

Doctor Pham Hong Thai, Head of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Department, Quang Ninh District General Hospital, Quang Binh Province, is examining a patient.

At that time, Dr. Thai's father was the Head of the Hai Ninh Commune Health Station. While on duty with his father, young Thai witnessed many critical cases.

Everything is in short supply, from medicine to medical equipment, and roads are extremely difficult to travel, making rescue work even more complicated.

"If there is a serious patient, the sea is calm, people put them on a bamboo boat, sail up the sea to Bao Ninh, Dong Hoi city to take the patient to Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Hospital Dong Hoi.

On rough days, stretchers had to be made and groups of people had to take turns carrying the patient through the pine forest, over sand dunes, and avoiding the lagoon.

"There were times when it rained heavily, the patient was already weak and soaked in the rain, and the person carrying the patient was trembling as he walked on the wet, bumpy sand," Dr. Thai recalled.

From those unforgettable experiences, student Pham Hong Thai gradually became determined to follow his father's career, saving people.

In those days, the poor coastal areas only knew how to rely on the sea, so students were often not interested in studying. Instead of going to class, the children chose to go to the sea to wait for their fathers and uncles' boats to come back to help remove and process the fish, hoping to have a full meal.

The Thai boy's family had many children. The father's job did not bring in much income, and the mother also worked hard in the fields and in wholesale. Only with 7 children could they have enough to eat.

"Hai Ninh commune only has 14 students going to secondary school. Due to poverty, friends dropped out of school to help their parents at sea. My family was not much better off, but because I wanted to become a doctor to save people, there were many days when I went to school with only one teacher and one student in the class," Dr. Thai recalled.

Leaving the village school, Thai packed his books and some worn-out clothes, crossed the sand dunes, crossed the Long Dai River, and stayed at a local's house to attend high school.

Away from his parents, the poor student had to support himself in everything to continue his studies. All those efforts were for the great goal of the future.

The whole family follows the profession of healing and saving people.

In 1988, Thai was admitted to Hue Medical College and studied to become a general practitioner. Far from his poor hometown, the student from the coastal area tried his best to acquire medical knowledge to bring back to help his hometown people.

In 1993, doctor Thai returned to work at the commune health station, at that time his father also retired.

"At that time, in Hai Ninh, in addition to common diseases, many people suffered from elephantiasis caused by filarial worms and fleas.

My colleagues and I both examined and treated patients and also researched and educated people on disease prevention. The people's education was not high and life was difficult, so all work encountered many obstacles," Dr. Thai recalled.

In addition to his solid expertise and professionalism, Dr. Thai is trusted and loved by his colleagues.

With the desire to help people more, Doctor Thai continued his advanced studies at the Military Medical Academy. After many years working at the station, in 2007, Doctor Thai was transferred to perform management work at the Quang Ninh District Health Department.

In 2017, Dr. Thai transferred to the Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics, Quang Ninh District General Hospital.

"I always keep in mind that, in addition to examining and treating patients, a doctor needs to improve his medical ethics and hone his expertise. Outside of work hours at the office, I also provide free medical examinations to the poor.

No matter what position I hold, I will contribute to the medical industry to save and improve people's health, but I still want to directly examine and treat patients," shared Dr. Pham Hong Thai, Head of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Department, Quang Ninh District General Hospital.

After more than 20 years working in the medical industry, Dr. Pham Hong Thai has received many titles and certificates of merit such as: Emulation fighter at the grassroots level in 2011, 2018, 2022; Emulation fighter at the industry level in 2022 and certificates of merit from the People's Committee of Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province.

In the hospital hallway, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh (born in 1972, residing in Ham Ninh commune, Quang Ninh district) said that she often comes to the hospital to get advice on cardiovascular disease and get medicine.

"I have had high blood pressure for nearly 5 years now, but I am still fine thanks to the enthusiastic care and advice from the ladies and gentlemen here, especially Dr. Thai. Whenever people are sick, they come to Dr. Thai for advice and treatment," Ms. Oanh smiled, her kind face seemed to light up.

"My wife is from the same commune, we have known each other since the days we worked together with our father. She is a pharmacist, from friendship, we grew up together and found a common voice in work and life, then became husband and wife", Dr. Thai proudly said.

Understanding the noble mission of those working in the medical field, wanting to be like their parents, Dr. Thai's two children also followed in their parents' footsteps.

Currently, his daughter is a master of clinical pharmacy, working at Duy Tan University. His son is also studying general medicine at Duy Tan University.

Doctor Nguyen Van Than, Director of Quang Ninh District General Hospital, said about his colleague, Doctor Thai is a good professional, dedicated to his work, wholeheartedly serves patients, completes assigned tasks well, and is very loved by colleagues and patients.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/chuyen-bac-si-noi-guong-cha-theo-nghiep-chua-benh-cuu-nguoi-o-mien-cat-trang-192240227142319155.htm