"Guardian Angels" in the Spratly Islands

With significant investment in modern equipment and the implementation of air ambulance services, the military medical forces in Truong Sa have promptly provided treatment and saved the lives of many fishermen in distress at sea.

Over the past period, the medical facilities in Truong Sa island district, Khanh Hoa province, have continuously provided timely emergency care, saving the lives of many fishermen working at sea.

Military doctors at the Sinh Ton Island Medical Clinic performed emergency surgery on fisherman Ngo Van Hai, whose hand was crushed by a rock crusher. Photo: TRINH NINH

Escaping the "grim reaper's scythe"

On the morning of March 5th, while fishing at sea, fisherman Huynh Binh (70 years old; residing in Tam Giang commune, Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province) collapsed on the deck, unable to speak and suffering paralysis on the right side of his body. Immediately afterwards, the fishing boat took him to the medical station on Song Tu Tay Island, Truong Sa archipelago.

Following an online examination and consultation with the Central Military Hospital 108 (Hanoi), the military medical staff on Song Tu Tay Island diagnosed Mr. Binh with a stroke 17 hours prior. The infirmary immediately provided emergency care, inserting an intravenous line, administering oxygen, treating cerebral edema, lowering blood pressure, and inserting a urinary catheter. The fisherman was then airlifted to Military Hospital 175 (in Ho Chi Minh City) for treatment.

Another case of stroke that was promptly treated at the Song Tu Tay Island Clinic involved fisherman Nguyen Van Hau (27 years old, residing in Quang Ngai province). On October 13th, Hau was transferred to the clinic by the fishing boat he was working on in a critical condition, with paralysis of the right side of his body and balance disorders.

The medical team on duty at Song Tu Tay Island Clinic held an online consultation with the Naval Medical Institute (Hai Phong). Subsequently, Mr. Hau received decompression therapy, saving him from the brink of death.

Also at the Song Tu Tay Island Medical Station, recently, on November 29th, military medical personnel received a fisherman from a Quang Nam fishing vessel suffering from acute appendicitis. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Trieu (39 years old; residing in Tam Quang commune, Nui Thanh district) was brought to the medical station by the fishing vessel after experiencing pain in the right lower abdomen. The medical staff determined he had acute appendicitis at the 30th hour and ordered emergency surgery.

"Thanks to your timely rescue, I was lucky to survive. Once my health recovers, I will continue going to sea," Triều said gratefully.

Over the past period, many fishermen who encountered difficulties while fishing in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands have received dedicated medical treatment from the Sinh Ton Island Clinic.

On the night of November 19th, the Sinh Ton Island Medical Clinic received fisherman Ngo Van Hai (46 years old, residing in Binh Dinh province) for emergency treatment. Mr. Hai, who works on a fishing boat, suffered an accident when his hand got caught in a stone crushing machine. The medical staff on Sinh Ton Island quickly sutured the wound, fixed the fracture with a splint, and repaired the tendons...

Navy soldiers bring a fisherman in distress at sea to the Song Tu Tay Island Medical Clinic for emergency treatment. Photo: HUNG NINH

Racing against time

According to Mr. Mai Thanh Phuc, Chairman of the Fishermen's Union of Phuoc Dong commune, Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province, the medical personnel in Truong Sa are "guardian angels" and are highly valued by fishermen.

"Many fishermen who suffer work-related accidents at sea have the chance to survive and return to their families thanks to the dedicated rescue and care provided by these men," Mr. Phuc expressed.

Currently, Truong Sa district has one medical center and eight clinics. Specifically, these are the Truong Sa Town Medical Center and the clinics on Song Tu Tay Island, Nam Yet Island, Son Ca Island, Sinh Ton Island, An Bang Island, Phan Vinh Island, Truong Sa Dong Island, and Sinh Ton Dong Island.

The Truong Sa Town Medical Center and military medical clinics are equipped with modern machinery and equipment to improve medical examination and treatment. In particular, the Truong Sa Town Medical Center has received significant investment in modern medical equipment, such as: ventilators, ultrasound machines, and a telemedicine system for online consultations with Military Hospital 175…

The implementation of this teleconsultation system has facilitated the transmission of patient images, test results, and consultations to agree on treatment methods. Through online consultations, the professional advice and suggestions from the medical team of Military Hospital 175 are immediately applied by doctors and medical staff at the Truong Sa Town Medical Center during emergency care and surgery.

To "race against death," the Truong Sa Town Medical Center and its clinics regularly receive support from helicopters of the 18th Army Corps and medical teams from Military Hospital 175 to transport patients to the mainland.

Not long ago, on the night of September 5th, three fishermen from Binh Thuan province on a fishing boat were critically injured while diving to catch seafood in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands area. The medical team on duty at the Sinh Ton Island infirmary consulted with the Naval Medical Institute and Military Hospital 175, determining that two people had moderate decompression sickness; one person's condition was severe, posing a life-threatening risk, and beyond the treatment capabilities of the military medical staff on the island.

Immediately, the 18th Army Corps dispatched an EC 225 helicopter along with an air ambulance team from Military Hospital 175, led by Lieutenant Ta Van Bach, to Sinh Ton Island that same night. By the morning of September 6th, the EC 225 helicopter had transported the three fishermen to Military Hospital 175 for treatment.

Earlier, on the evening of June 29th, Mr. Huynh Thanh Binh (50 years old, a fisherman from Quang Ngai province) suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, with a poor prognosis. The 18th Army Corps immediately mobilized a Super Puma L2 helicopter to fly to Truong Sa Lon Island. After about 8 hours, the patient was transferred to Military Hospital 175...

Currently, emergency flights can depart from and land at Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) or the helipad on the rooftop of the Orthopedic Trauma Institute building - Military Hospital 175. This helipad, inaugurated at the end of 2020, aims to minimize transport time and increase the chances of saving patients requiring urgent intervention, including fishermen who are in distress while fishing at sea.

Emergency services provide assistance to hundreds of fishermen every year.

According to the Propaganda Department of the 4th Naval Region, in 2023, the entire Truong Sa Brigade and its medical forces provided medical examinations, treatment, and medication to over 3,130 people and emergency care to over 125 fishermen.

Specifically, the Truong Sa Town Medical Center examined and provided medication to over 300 fishermen; treated 33 serious cases such as traumatic brain injury, appendicitis, multiple injuries, and stroke... This center also performed 91 surgeries; conducted online consultations with Military Hospital 175 in emergency treatment of many difficult cases; and coordinated the helicopter transport of 6 serious cases to the mainland. Meanwhile, the Song Tu Tay Clinic examined and provided medication to nearly 100 fishermen and provided emergency treatment to 13 fishermen...

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thien-than-ho-menh-o-truong-sa-196231216194805809.htm