Efforts to rescue and treat patients in floods

As of noon on October 28, hospitals and medical centers in low-lying areas such as Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, Dai Loc, Nong Son... were still flooded. Medical facilities also became safe shelters for dozens of households.

Quang Nam Regional General Hospital (Dien Ban Ward) strives to care for patients in deep flooding conditions. In the photo: Patients are treated at the Intensive Care Unit on October 28. Photo: NT

Actively move the patient

Mr. Nguyen Tai, Director of Quang Nam Regional General Hospital (Dien Ban Ward) said that on the afternoon of October 27, when there was a flood forecast, the hospital asked all patients and their relatives being treated in the departments on the first floor to move to the departments on the second floor.

Along with that, doctors and nurses at the hospital proactively moved computers and medical equipment for examination and treatment to the first floor. All fixed machines were initially arranged on the second floor.

By noon yesterday (October 28), Dien Ban Regional General Hospital was still flooded more than 1 meter deep. About 1,200 patients and their families are being supported with accommodation at the hospital.

“The basic medicine and equipment at the hospital are stable because we have anticipated a long flooding situation. However, we have to call on organizations to provide more food for patients because there are still many inpatients. Yesterday afternoon, volunteer organizations in Dien Ban Bac ward found a way to send banh u and banh chung to patients,” said Mr. Nguyen Tai.

Authorities coordinated with volunteer organizations in Thu Bon commune to bring people to safety. Photo: FP Thu Bon

For provincial health facilities, organizing emergency departments and treatment units to receive a large number of patients in a short time requires proactive preparation from the beginning. Dr. Nguyen Tai added that a common situation is the lack of reserve fuel to operate the equipment, so a generator with enough capacity for the ICU, a certified backup oxygen tank system and a mechanism for quick replenishment from nearby sources is needed.

At the Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital, during a night of heavy rain, many dialysis patients were unable to return home. The on-duty team stayed for 48 hours to maintain the machines and support patients with kidney failure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Meanwhile, at Tam Tri Quang Nam General Hospital (Duy Xuyen commune), the number of emergency patients on October 27 due to flood accidents reached more than 10 cases. Doctor Vo Van Chinh, hospital director, said that on the morning of October 28, the hospital was looking for ways to have fuel supply, ensuring basic operation of equipment. There were about 127 inpatients receiving free meals from the hospital.

People in Thang Dien commune were supported to move to a safe place: Photo: Provided by Thang Dien Commune People's Committee.

Struggle under difficult conditions

At many regional medical centers, when floodwaters rose rapidly, these units became safe shelters for dozens of households. Medical staff provided emergency care and assisted people with food and accommodation.

Dr. Tran Do Nhan, Director of Duy Xuyen Regional Medical Center, said that the emergency system at the center operates 24/7. On the night of October 27, low-lying residents were given the opportunity to take shelter on the second floor of the center.

In mountainous areas, where traffic is currently cut off, medical facilities are forced to make do, utilize stockpiles, and divide the remaining medicine into smaller amounts, prioritizing emergency cases and severe chronic diseases. In the mountainous areas of Nam Giang and Dong Giang, medical teams also work with local militia to support the people.

Dr. Tran Van Thu, Director of the Nam Tra My Regional Medical Center, said that currently, emergency care for patients in the communes in the area is facing many difficulties due to traffic jams and ambulances not being able to circulate. In addition, transferring seriously ill patients to hospitals is also difficult due to landslides.

“On October 27, we had to transfer two patients to Quang Nam General Hospital, but we had to go through many roads to get there. Not to mention the difficulties in emergency cases in isolated areas,” said Mr. Tran Van Thu.

Currently, localities are still trying to find ways to operate vehicles, medicines, and necessities in emergency situations. In particular, for medical facilities, the shortage of fuel to operate machinery is a concern for many units if the flooding situation continues.

In addition, after each flood, the risk of chronic diseases increases as well as infectious diseases outbreaks due to environmental pollution, which is what the health sector is most concerned about.

Coordinate emergency care in critical cases

Together with the functional forces of the communes, many volunteer groups have coordinated to support bringing many sick cases to medical facilities.

Specifically, on the afternoon of October 27, a resident of Vinh Trinh village, Thu Bon commune suffered from severe abdominal pain suspected to be due to appendicitis, but due to rising floodwaters and many roads being cut off, the family could not move on their own. Receiving information about the cry for help on social networks, the commune military force and volunteers mobilized a canoe to approach and take the patient through the deep flooded area to the Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital for treatment. The patient is currently in stable condition at the hospital.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/no-luc-cap-cuu-dieu-tri-nguoi-benh-trong-lu-lut-3308585.html