Female doctor keeps the "pulse" of traditional medicine

In the preparation room of Ha Tinh Traditional Medicine Hospital, the faint scent of medicinal herbs blends with the heat from the pots of medicine. In this unique space, Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong (born in 1969) - Director of Ha Tinh Traditional Medicine Hospital patiently checks each medicinal herb. For her, this place is not only an office but also a place to preserve the "vein" of traditional medicine, the origin of research projects. And she, with her passion and responsibility, is always affectionately called by her colleagues as "the keeper of the "vein" of traditional medicine".

Meritorious physician Bui Thi Mai Huong - affectionately called by colleagues as "the keeper of the traditional Vietnamese medicine pulse".

Graduated from Thai Binh University of Medicine (1992) and worked at Thach Ha District Medical Center (old), Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong did not expect to develop her career in the field of Oriental medicine. The opportunity came to her when in 1994 she was transferred to work at Ha Tinh Traditional Medicine Hospital. Here, having access to medicinal herbs and learning many documents about the prescriptions of the famous physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong, the female doctor began to develop a passion for Southern medicine. In particular, Hai Thuong Lan Ong's view of "Southern medicine to treat Southern people" has become her ideal and career goal.

Every day, Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong's traditional medicine is prepared to treat inpatients at the hospital.

“Ha Tinh is the land of medicinal herbs, I am very aware of that resource when I learned about 300 traditional Vietnamese medicines that Hai Thuong Lan Ong discovered when he returned to his motherland to practice medicine. When I switched to Oriental medicine, I had a burning desire to turn familiar medicinal plants from home gardens, fences, mountain corners... into useful remedies for the community. Over 30 years of working in this profession is also the same amount of years I have patiently followed a path that few people choose: researching and applying traditional Vietnamese medicine in treating diseases. I am happy because that path is also implementing Uncle Ho's ideology as well as the Party and State's policy of combining modern medicine with traditional medicine" - Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong shared.

Doctor Bui Thi Mai Huong and colleagues at the scientific conference on Hai Thuong Lan Ong held in Hung Yen to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Great Physician's birth (2024).

Colleagues will always remember the image of a female doctor who traveled all over the countryside of Ha Tinh, looking for each native herb, taking notes, testing, and then quietly sitting for hours in the laboratory analyzing its medicinal properties. That passion, responsibility and dedication were crystallized in three provincial-level scientific topics, becoming the career mark of Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong.

These are the topics "Lowering blood pressure" to support the treatment of high blood pressure (2017); "Detoxifying the liver" to help stabilize liver enzymes, protect the liver of patients (2020); "TD-01" to support the treatment of type 2 diabetes (2024). The common point of all 3 projects is to exploit indigenous medicinal herbs to create a medicine that is both familiar and effective, reducing the cost burden for patients.

Dr. Mai Huong shared: “Without scientific research, traditional medicine will remain just folk experience. Only science can help traditional medicine stand firm. Therefore, every project I pursue is carried out seriously, following the evaluation and testing process, ensuring safety and wide applicability.”

Doctor Bui Thi Mai Huong (middle) shares with colleagues about the effects of each ingredient in the medicine she has successfully researched.

In her leadership position, Dr. Mai Huong always maintains her closeness and simplicity. Stemming from her responsibility as the head of the province's leading hospital in traditional medicine, Dr. Mai Huong always focuses on developing ancient remedies. Amidst her busy work, she still takes time to instruct young doctors on how to exploit medicinal herbs, encouraging them to boldly register for new research topics. For her, inspiring the next generation to continue the journey of "Nam Duoc Tri Nam Nhan" is no less important than the completed projects.

Strengthening scientific activities is one of the leadership principles to develop medical examination and treatment work of Meritorious Doctor Bui Thi Mai Huong. Along with the investment in upgrading the system of modern medical equipment and machinery, scientific research activities have helped the hospital combine modern medicine with traditional medicine. Thanks to that, the reputation and position of the Traditional Medicine Hospital have been raised. Every year, the hospital has examined 14,000 - 16,000 people and treated 9,000 - 11,000 inpatients, exceeding the set plan by 200% - 285%.

Along with investment in upgrading modern medical equipment and machinery systems, scientific research activities have helped the hospital combine modern medicine with traditional medicine, attracting more and more patients.

The silent contributions of Dr. Bui Thi Mai Huong have been recognized with many awards and noble titles, the most honorable of which is the title "Hai Thuong Lan Ong". However, for her, the greatest happiness is still the smile of the patient after successful treatment with traditional medicine, and the increasing number of patients trusting in inpatient treatment at the hospital. That helps her reduce the pressure of work and be more confident in the path she has chosen.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nu-bac-sy-giu-mach-nam-duoc-post295383.html