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The program of prosthetic limbs, medical examination and treatment, and free medicine for people with bone and joint diseases carried out by the US Volunteer Group Mercer on Mission - Mercer University (Mercer organization - USA) is a meaningful activity. To better understand the program, Hau Giang Newspaper reporter had an interview with Professor, Doctor of Technical Medicine, Orthopedic Traumatologist of Mercer University (USA) Vo Thanh Ha (photo).
Sir, how do you feel about returning to Hau Giang for the 4th time to carry out the program?
- After a long period of time affected by Covid-19, I am very anxious and impatient, wishing to return to my homeland Vietnam to help people in difficulty, needing support for medical examination, treatment or prosthetic limbs.
The day I returned to Hau Giang to carry out the program, I and other members of the Mercer Organization were very happy and excited.
Why are you and your colleagues, American doctors, overseas Vietnamese, and Vietnamese students living and working in the US, willing to return to Vietnam many times to provide support?
- After the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, I still remember the images of people with amputated legs due to remaining war bombs and mines, people bitten by snakes and having to amputate limbs in the new economic zones. I was determined that one day soon I would bring a large force with full professional experience to help my loved ones in my hometown. As soon as I had the opportunity, especially when I had the support from former US President Bill Clinton and Mercer University, sponsors to install prosthetic arms and legs, and I myself supported the medicine to examine and treat bone and joint diseases for patients, so the program was implemented.
The image of patients being able to walk by themselves, holding a loaf of bread to eat, holding a glass of water to drink is an image that makes us unable to not return to Vietnam to continue implementing the program.
How many people have been supported by the program to get prosthetic arms and legs and to get treatment for bone and joint diseases, sir?
- The number of patients supported with prosthetic legs and arms up to now has been about 18,000 people and at least 100,000 people have been examined and treated for bone and joint diseases in many provinces and cities, including Hau Giang. These are extremely encouraging numbers in our journey of operation.
What is the greatest meaning that the program wants to spread, sir?
- The greatest meaning we want to bring is to see people with disabilities respected by everyone. The families of the patients feel that their loved ones are not lost or disabled, they live as normal people like everyone else. Society also no longer discriminates against the less fortunate disabled people.
I still remember a case in Dong Nai , that was an old man who lost both legs. He had to crawl on his damaged legs with a sad, miserable look. After being supported to install prosthetic legs, he smiled happily and shared that because of his disability, he received a lot of discrimination and alienation. Now, when he can stand up and walk, it is an indescribable happiness, he feels like he has come back to life.
Professor, Doctor of Engineering Medicine, Orthopedic Traumatologist Vo Thanh Ha (standing in the middle) and students from Mercer University, devoted to cases of prosthetic legs.
Can you share a little about the funding to maintain this program?
- The early days of the program were very difficult. There were people who volunteered to polish their names and images, so their contributions were very small, but the program did not have the purpose of promoting and communicating widely to call for support. We just wanted to do something for those in need, to help them live more easily. Over time, with the results achieved, Mercer Organization also received high appreciation and enthusiastic support from the community. Up to the present stage, the program can operate smoothly without major economic impacts and difficulties. The number of doctors and students volunteering to support is also increasing.
What are your plans for developing this meaningful program in the future?
- My next plan is to build a center for disabled children in Vietnam. It will be a place to care for and treat children who are unfortunately born with polio and cerebral palsy. We will examine, treat, and provide physical therapy so that they can recover. That is our biggest wish for the future and we will be determined to be able to carry out this plan.
Thank you sir!
Performed by THANH NGAN
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