Doctors are like kind mothers.

As medicine continues to develop with many advanced techniques, medical ethics remains a core value and the foundation of the medical profession. In this context, the image of a dedicated doctor, wholeheartedly devoted to their patients, is still likened to a "kind mother" who tirelessly cares for, treats, and fights for the lives of patients with all her heart and responsibility.

Not only do doctors and nurses cherish the lives of critically ill little "angels," but they also race against death day and night to bring countless patients who seemed on the brink of death back home.

The "second mothers" in the intensive care unit.

After nearly two months of treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( Dong Nai Children's Hospital), baby boy VAB (from An Vien commune, Dong Nai province) who suffered from severe neonatal tetanus, has made a remarkable recovery and returned home to the loving embrace of his family. Few know that the journey to save baby B.'s life was a series of tense and challenging days for the hospital's medical team.

According to Dr. Phan Thi Bich Huong, a specialist in Neonatal Intensive Care, the patient was admitted at just 3 days old, in a lethargic state, cyanotic, with generalized muscle rigidity and severe respiratory failure. The cause was determined to be infection and neonatal tetanus, which resulted from the umbilical cord being cut by a family member using non-sterile scissors after birth. This is a rare disease but has a very high mortality rate.

Doctors from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Dong Nai Children's Hospital) examine and care for baby VAB. Photo: Hanh Dung

Upon admission, doctors promptly intubated the baby, put him on a ventilator, administered strong antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and tetanus antitoxin serum. The treatment protocol was implemented accurately and promptly, racing against time.

Not only doctors, but also the nursing staff play a particularly important role in that recovery journey. Nurse Le Thi Tuyet, who has been dedicated to the profession for 30 years, shared: "Caring for infants with neonatal tetanus is extremely difficult. The baby constantly has muscle spasms, produces a lot of mucus and sweat. Therefore, nurses must be on constant alert to turn the baby frequently to prevent bedsores and diaper rash. Changing tubes and feeding through the tube is also very difficult because the baby's jaw muscles are stiff."

"We are always by their bedside, taking care of the children as if they were our own grandchildren. No matter how difficult it is, we don't mind, we just hope they get well soon," Ms. Tuyet confided.

Ms. Vang Thi Song, mother of child B., said: “When my child was hospitalized, the family was very worried because she was seriously ill and our family was in difficult circumstances. We could only rely on the doctors and nurses. Thanks to the love and dedication of the medical staff, my child, who was facing a 90% risk of death, has now recovered well and returned home healthy.”

He saved people from the brink of death twice.

While the joy of Ms. Vang Thi Song's family was welcoming their healthy baby home, the joy of Mr. Le Duy Chin's family (a 96-year-old Hero of the People's Armed Forces, residing in Tri An commune, Dong Nai province) was still being able to see their esteemed elder smiling at his children and grandchildren after two near-death experiences.