People who are always present at 'hot spots'

QTO - Meeting Dr. Huynh Cong Hung, Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control - Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC), at this time is not easy. Because he is almost always present at the "hot spot" of malaria epidemic in the border area of ​​Quang Tri province. Like many other times, he and his colleagues directly went to the epidemic area to investigate, monitor, and find solutions to prevent the risk of spreading to the community.

No hesitation allowed

In 2021, when the first Covid-19 case appeared in the old Quang Binh area, with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", Dr. Huynh Cong Hung did not fear danger and hardship, directly participating in the most difficult stages at the front line. From zoning, tracing, testing, to transporting F0 overnight... the timely and persistent presence of him and his colleagues has made an important contribution to helping the provincial health sector control the epidemic situation, minimize the spread in the community and protect the health of the people.

Dr. Huynh Cong Hung said: At that time, Covid-19 was still very new, there was little information, there was no vaccine, everyone was worried. But if we hesitated, who would protect the people?

“We accepted to live in isolation from our families for months, eating boxed lunches, instant noodles or staying up all night to trace, collect samples, and isolate areas. It was a very stressful time, but it also showed me the spirit of solidarity and collective responsibility,” Dr. Hung recalled.

With their efforts at work, Dr. Huynh Cong Hung and his colleagues have contributed to controlling the epidemic situation in the area - Photo: HL

According to Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial CDC Do Quoc Tiep, Dr. Huynh Cong Hung is one of the typical faces of the provincial health sector in the 2020-2025 epidemic prevention period. Especially at the time when the Covid-19 epidemic broke out fiercely, Dr. Hung showed his role as one of the main "spearheads" of the Provincial CDC in epidemic prevention and control work. Many sleepless nights, rushing to hot spots, facing a high risk of infection... but he still kept his determination "to catch all F0 so that people can be treated promptly".

“It is Dr. Hung’s responsibility and silent sacrifice that has spread the spirit of dedication, empowered his colleagues and created trust among the people. Thanks to that, urgent and stressful anti-epidemic tasks have been effectively implemented, contributing significantly to the province’s overall success in the “war” against Covid-19,” Dr. Tiep affirmed.

Courage of people on the front line

After the Covid-19 pandemic passed, Dr. Hung and his teammates continued to face other epidemics such as malaria, dengue fever, etc. Once, to investigate a malaria case in Doc May village (Truong Son commune), the working group had to walk for 4-5 hours, cross streams, and forests with backpacks full of medicine, chemicals, and supplies.

“When we arrived, it was already dark. When we saw the medical staff, the people felt reassured and actively cooperated. All the tiredness seemed to disappear,” he happily recounted.

After many years of efforts, on June 30, 2025, Quang Binh province (old) was recognized as malaria-free. Just when he thought he had just eliminated the worry of an epidemic, since entering the province, he and his colleagues packed their backpacks and headed to A Doi, Khe Sanh, Lia - new "hot spots" in Huong Hoa, where 44 cases of malaria were recorded in 2025, an increase of 4.4 times compared to the same period last year.

To investigate a malaria case in Doc May village (Truong Son commune), the working group had to walk 4-5 hours through the forest - Photo HL

Doctor Dinh Van Bao, Head of A Doi Commune Health Station, shared that in A Doi, there are places where each hill has only a few households, but Doctor Hung and the members of the team do not mind the hardship, crossing passes, wading streams to each house to collect samples for testing, and investigating insects. Many days, everyone only eats and drinks quickly to take care of work; when it rains heavily, causing traffic jams, they have to sleep at people's houses. I really admire the working spirit of him and his colleagues.

Huong Hoa is a mountainous area with difficult transportation, a border with Laos, a large migrant population, and limited socio-economic conditions, making malaria prevention and control here face many challenges.

“Therefore, only by going to the “hot spots” can we find effective solutions soon. With the experience accumulated over the years, along with the synchronous participation of the health system and local authorities, I believe that if we maintain drastic measures to monitor, manage cases, communicate about disease prevention, combine mosquito prevention and control and raise community awareness, the goal of eliminating malaria is completely feasible in the near future,” said Dr. Hung.

Doctor Huynh Cong Hung has been excellent in his duties for many years, achieving the title of Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level. He has received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his achievements in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, along with many certificates of merit from leading institutes in the prevention of tuberculosis, leprosy, dermatology, etc.

Disease prevention and control must be quick and thorough.

As Head of the Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, over the years, Dr. Hung has always strived to complete his assigned tasks excellently. The planned targets of the departments assigned to him have been basically completed and exceeded. Disease prevention and control work has been effectively implemented, preventing major epidemics from occurring.

In addition to field work, he also participates in scientific research in the field of infectious disease prevention and control, carrying out 2 topics that have been effectively applied in practice. In particular, the research topic on the status of dengue fever in 8 key communes of Quang Binh province (old) in 2024 has provided a more specific view of the epidemic situation, knowledge-attitude-behavior of people in dengue fever prevention and control. From there, medical staff have a more appropriate approach, guidance, and propaganda for people, helping dengue fever prevention and control to be more effective. Thanks to that, the dengue fever situation in "hot spots" tends to gradually decrease in 2025.

Doctor Hung and colleagues in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic - Photo HL

“From my direct presence at the “hot spots”, I learned a lesson: Disease prevention and control must always be proactive, timely and synchronous. It is necessary to closely monitor from the beginning, quickly isolate and thoroughly handle outbreaks, and at the same time promote communication so that people understand and cooperate. In addition, the spirit of solidarity and inter-sectoral coordination are decisive factors in helping us control and gradually repel the epidemic,” Dr. Hung emphasized.

The epidemic may have subsided, but those working in preventive medicine like Dr. Hung are never allowed to be complacent. He and his colleagues still regularly stay close to the area, always ready to face any situation that may arise, to proactively prevent and fight the epidemic, and protect public health.

Huong Le

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/suc-khoe/202510/nguoi-luon-co-mat-tai-cac-diem-nong-3404f51/