'Rekindling' healthcare in Con Dao Special Zone

Côn Đảo - Ảnh 1. — Seven leading medical specialists from Ho Chi Minh City are ready to take on assignments in the Con Dao Special Zone - Photo: THANH HIEP

"Con Dao should be considered your second home – a place where you not only care for patients but also work alongside colleagues, support training, share knowledge, and spread the values of healthcare ," Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Director Tang Chi Thuong instructed the doctors.

Young doctor ready to take on the assignment

Seven specialist doctors were assigned to the Con Dao Special Zone in the first phase, coming from six different leading hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, including Children's Hospital 1, Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital, and Gia Dinh People's Hospital. Most were resident doctors, some with doctoral degrees, and they possessed enthusiasm and passion, ready to dedicate themselves to the people of Con Dao.

As the only female doctor among the first seven doctors to volunteer to work in the Con Dao Special Zone, Dr. Tran Thi Mai Lien - from the Emergency Department of Children's Hospital 1 - shared that she was equally nervous as one of the first doctors to participate. However, she was not worried at all because she had colleagues who always stood by her side, and the support of the entire hospital.

To prepare for her upcoming month-long trip, Dr. Lien has been preparing herself physically and professionally, arranging her work in the department to be ready to examine pediatric patients and share in-depth expertise in pediatrics with doctors in Con Dao.

According to Dr. Ly Bao Duy, from the Thoracic and Thyroid Surgery Department of Binh Dan Hospital: "Con Dao is not only a sacred land but also always in my heart. I carry with me feelings and a sense of responsibility to contribute to improving the quality of life and healthcare for the people here."

Con Dao is a remote area of Ho Chi Minh City, where residents are in great need of medical support. With dedication and effort, my colleagues and I will do our best to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment, enhance healthcare services, and bring peace of mind to residents and tourists in Con Dao.

Although I have some concerns about adjusting to a new environment and taking on a pioneering role during this month-long assignment, I am confident that with the support from the hospital, the Department of Health, and the local authorities, we will successfully complete our mission. A month is not too long, but it's not too short either; it's enough time for the doctors to do their best and make practical contributions to healthcare in Con Dao."

With the arrival of more doctors, people feel more at ease.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Van Manh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Dao Special Zone, said he was very pleased to hear that leading specialists from top-tier hospitals would be coming to work there, as it would alleviate some of the worries of both locals and tourists .

"For highly specialized medical conditions, people in Con Dao previously had to travel to central Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. Many families had to go to the mainland nearly two months before giving birth to prepare for childbirth and only return home when the child was strong enough."

They were very excited to hear that highly specialized doctors, including PhDs and masters, would be coming to provide support. They expect this program to bring new vitality, help reduce illness, and improve the quality of life. This rotation of specialist doctors not only meets essential medical needs but also brings great confidence and hope to the people of Con Dao," Mr. Manh said.

Mr. Tran Vinh Hung, director of Binh Dan Hospital, emphasized that the seven doctors from six hospitals deployed in this first phase are a prime example of the sense of responsibility, dedication, and pride of the entire healthcare sector.

A delegation from the hospital will arrive in Con Dao on September 11th or 12th, a week after the deployment ceremony, to survey, evaluate, and report the results from the doctors. Following this, an operating room will be established at the Con Dao Special Zone Military-Civilian Medical Center to meet essential medical needs.

A large number of doctors volunteered to go to Con Dao.

According to Mr. Thuong, after the merger, the city's health sector has defined its service spirit: "Ho Chi Minh City's health sector will not only expand geographically but also spread its sense of responsibility to the most remote areas such as Con Dao." The city will prioritize all resources to shorten the gap in access to healthcare between the city center and remote areas, with Con Dao being a key focus.

Immediately after its implementation, the program received a strong response and widespread support from healthcare professionals throughout the industry, especially in leading general and specialized hospitals. With this initiative, even in remote locations like Con Dao, residents and tourists alike will have access to professional and high-quality healthcare services. This is a practical action demonstrating a comprehensive and equitable development orientation in the field of healthcare.

In addition to enhanced professional support, another highlight is the establishment of a blood bank at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center, implemented in collaboration with Hung Vuong Hospital, to meet the urgent need for blood transfusions, especially in obstetric and surgical emergencies. Even hemodialysis machines were quickly put into service to serve locals and tourists.

Simultaneously, short-term medical examinations and treatments will be conducted by specialized hospitals such as ophthalmology, dentistry, and ENT. The first medical examination, scheduled for September 2025, will focus on oral care for students, and will be handled by the Central Dental Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, the number of doctors volunteering to go to Con Dao has extended until 2026, ensuring there are always specialist doctors on the island until a general hospital with a permanent staff is established. In the long term, the Ho Chi Minh City health sector hopes that the City Party Committee and the City People's Council will soon have specific policies and mechanisms to encourage hospital directors to continue sending personnel to Con Dao, with the health sector's determination: "No one will be left behind, even in the most remote areas."

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tiep-lua-y-te-dac-khu-con-dao-20250828073855918.htm