Shining medical ethics among the vast borders

On the rugged mountain ranges, where the terrain is rugged, the climate is harsh and people's lives are full of difficulties in the border of Nghe An province. However, Major of the National Defense Forces, military doctor Le Anh Duc, medical staff of Tri Le Border Post, Border Guard of Nghe An province, quietly spread the humanistic values ​​and medical ethics of Uncle Ho's soldiers wearing white uniforms on the front line of the Fatherland.

Born and raised in Kim Bang commune, Nghe An province, a place famous for its revolutionary tradition and studious spirit, from a young age, Le Anh Duc nurtured the desire to become a doctor to treat and save people. That dream followed him throughout his journey of studying, joining the army and being attached to the Vietnam People's Army.

Doctor Le Anh Duc propagates and mobilizes people in border areas to eliminate poison ivy.

After joining the Border Guard, Le Anh Duc was supported by the unit and passed the entrance exam to Nghe An Provincial Medical College (now Vinh Medical University). After completing the course, he returned to work at Nghe An Provincial Border Guard. The military environment has trained him from courage, discipline to the spirit of endurance, hard work and always kept in mind the determination: No matter how difficult or harsh the conditions are, the mission of saving people is always put first.

After more than 25 years of working, including more than 20 years working in remote areas such as Keng Du, Na Ngoi and Tri Le, where the population is still poor and the healthcare system is limited, Dr. Duc has become a reliable support for the health of officers, soldiers and people of all ethnic groups. He has rolled up his pants to cross many mountain passes and streams, despite the rain and cold to go to the villages to examine and treat people. Mr. Duc shared: "No matter how long the road is, whether it is rain, wind or hot sun, as long as the people need me, I am ready to go immediately. For me, it is not only a professional responsibility, but also an order from the heart of a military doctor."

Doctor Le Anh Duc examines people at the military medical station.

One of his most notable contributions was to provide first aid for poison ivy, a serious and common problem in the highland communes of Nghe An province. This is an extremely toxic plant, causing death in just a few dozen minutes if not treated promptly.

Despite not having the conditions for testing or modern machinery, he still persistently researched folk remedies, combining medical knowledge to create a simple but effective first aid method. The remedy was invented by him from easily found herbs in nature such as squeezing banana tree trunks to get the juice, combined with the slime of the frog to create a fishy taste to stimulate the gag reflex. Combining the use of intensive resuscitation methods, closely monitoring for many hours, even staying up all night to preserve the patient's life. The method seems simple but has saved dozens of lives, from young girls, poor men to 11-year-old children..., all have been saved thanks to the medicine he invented.

Thanks to its high effectiveness and feasibility, Le Anh Duc's remedy has spread to many border areas, helping to control the death rate due to poison from the leaves. From 2016 to now, Dr. Duc has directly and jointly saved at least 27 cases of poisoning due to eating poison leaves.

Not only that, he also advised the Party Committee and the commander of Tri Le Border Guard Station to coordinate with the local government to propagate prevention and mobilize village elders and village chiefs to participate in eliminating the aconite plant in the area. They went to each hamlet to propagate, remove the aconite plant, and signed a commitment to prevent suicide by eating aconite.

Doctor Le Anh Duc (middle) makes medicine to prevent poisoning from poison ivy.

According to local government statistics, before 2020, Tri Le commune had 17 cases of eating poison ivy, causing 10 deaths. After active propaganda campaigns, combined with the use of Dr. Duc's poison ivy remedy, the number of deaths due to poison ivy poisoning among local people has decreased significantly. Not only limited to Tri Le commune, the poison ivy remedy has also been disseminated to military medics at many Border Guard Stations in Nghe An province's border area.

Tri Le commune currently has 16 villages, nearly 10,400 people, including 4 main ethnic groups: Thai, Kho Mu, Mong, Kinh. Mr. Duc not only plays the role of a doctor but also a familiar friend and relative of the people in the highland villages. Whenever someone is sick, people come to him. One night, in the middle of the night, when it was raining and windy, he received a phone call from a village dozens of kilometers away from the commune center, but he still put on a raincoat and brought a bag of medicine to examine the people.

Along with medical examination and treatment, he also actively propagates to raise awareness among people about hygiene, disease prevention, reproductive health care, breastfeeding, expanded immunization, etc. He learns Thai and Mong languages ​​to communicate with people more easily. He cuts hair for children, gives out free medicine, and mobilizes socialized support sources to give gifts and support poor households.

Comrade Lu Van Cuong, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tri Le commune, commented: “Comrade Le Anh Duc is very dedicated and close to the people. His research into a remedy for poison ivy has brought practical benefits.”

Tri Le Commune Party Committee and authorities and Tri Le Border Guard Station organized the destruction of aconite plants in the area.

Mr. Luong Van Hanh, a resident of Lam Hop village, Tri Le commune, emotionally said: "Elderly people like us often get sick, the hospital is far away, it is difficult to travel, but thanks to Dr. Duc who regularly visits and takes care of our health, we feel very secure."

Lieutenant Colonel Ho Thanh Quang, Political Commissar of Tri Le Border Guard Station, commented: "Comrade Duc has good moral qualities, good expertise, and high responsibility. He is always loved and trusted by his teammates and the local people."

For more than 30 years wearing the green uniform, holding a stethoscope in his hand, Dr. Duc has always maintained a simple lifestyle. He once confided: "As long as all the people are healthy, that is the most precious gift for me." What he aims for: "I just hope to contribute a small part to make the border strong, so that people can live healthier lives. Seeing people happy is the motivation for me to continue to contribute."

In the midst of the vast frontier of the Fatherland, Doctor Le Anh Duc still silently lights the lamp in life day and night. His journey of shining medical ethics is a living proof of the spirit of serving the people, the Fatherland, and a peaceful and strong frontier.

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Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/cuoc-thi-viet-vung-buoc-duoi-co-dang/toa-sang-y-duc-giua-dai-ngan-bien-gioi-925927