Dedicated to the People
The passion for military medicine began to ignite in 2005 and 2006, when Dr. Thanh was a medical student at the Military Medical Academy. After graduating, from his training at Brigade 297 (Phu Tho), he was transferred to the 313 Economic -Defense Group in Ha Giang at that time, serving as the Head of the Medical Clinic. Four years of service in the Xin Man - Thanh Thuy border region forged the courageous character of a doctor and soldier.
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| Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh. |
“At that time, the difficulties weren't just the winding, rocky mountain roads prone to landslides, the villages shrouded in freezing winter mist, or the lack of medical equipment and living conditions. The biggest challenge was overcoming the language barrier for each of us officers and soldiers. Everyone had to learn to understand the language, customs, and traditions of the Hmong, Nung, and La Chi people... And from there, we gradually and persistently worked to change those backward customs with the light of modern medicine,” Dr. Thanh shared.
Throughout his time working in border communes, what left the deepest impression on Lieutenant Colonel and Doctor Dang Xuan Thanh was not the encouragement and praise he received, but the moments of emergency care and medical examinations, fighting to save the lives of the local people. In his memory, his shift in Thanh Thuy – a land still bearing many traces of bombs and mines after the war – is one of the most profound and unforgettable experiences. The lingering sadness of war shattered when an explosion echoed through the silent mountain forest. A few minutes later, two villagers were brought to the infirmary with multiple injuries, their bodies drenched in blood.
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| Doctor Dang Xuan Thanh (second from the right) inspects disease prevention and control work in Minh Xuan ward. |
“They were two villagers working in the fields who unfortunately stepped on a landmine left over from the war. It was very tragic. But at that time, as a doctor in the infirmary, I only thought about how to save them, how to give them back their lives. I, along with my colleagues on duty, performed first aid, treated the wounds, stopped the bleeding, and quickly transferred the injured to a higher-level hospital. Later, their lives were saved, but sadly, they lost their legs… After shifts like that, I understand that in this border region, medical staff not only treat illnesses, but also provide a strong spiritual support for the people to feel secure in staying in their villages and protecting their homeland,” Dr. Thanh said kindly.
He was both a doctor and a soldier.
In December 2014, Dr. Dang Xuan Thanh transferred to the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command as the Head of the Medical Clinic. Amidst the then-shortcomings of the clinic's facilities, he and his colleagues guided their work with enthusiasm and dedication. For the local people, the image of the kind and welcoming Head of the Medical Clinic became a source of trust whenever they were sick.
Not confined to the clinic, twice a year, Dr. Thanh regularly joins a medical team to conduct free medical examinations and provide free medicine to families receiving government assistance and people in difficult circumstances in remote areas. Dr. Thanh and his colleagues have visited many communes such as Kien Dai, Con Lon, Kien Thiet, Kim Binh, Vinh Quang, Hung Loi, Tan Trao... providing free medical examinations, consultations, and medicine to hundreds of thousands of people. This is not only a professional activity but also a strong bond that strengthens the relationship between the military and the people.
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| Doctor Dang Xuan Thanh examines patients from families receiving preferential treatment in Kien Dai commune. |
Understanding that the health of soldiers is the foundation for building an elite army, a solid "shield" for the Fatherland, Dr. Thanh, in his new role as Assistant to the Military Medical Department, became a dedicated advisor. His duties were no longer limited to emergency shifts, but included meticulously planned projects and years of experience in the medical field, such as conducting periodic health checkups for officers and soldiers; advising on the establishment of medical inspection teams at grassroots units; and advising on the organization of annual professional training courses...
For military doctor Dang Xuan Thanh, preventive medicine must always be one step ahead; therefore, he always implements hygiene and disease prevention measures decisively, ensuring no unexpected or passive situations occur in the military environment. In the process of examination, admission, emergency care, and treatment, Dr. Thanh always prioritizes "absolute safety." Whether at the grassroots level or in coordination with higher-level facilities, his professionalism and meticulousness have helped many cases be handled promptly and effectively.
Throughout his years of service and dedication, Lieutenant Colonel, Doctor Dang Xuan Thanh has written a beautiful story of an outstanding soldier and physician, possessing both exemplary medical ethics and unwavering resolve. His dedication and discipline have created a reliable pillar of support for his comrades and the people in peacetime. This journey has not only built a health shield on the front lines but has also contributed to enhancing the noble image of the Ho Chi Minh Army in the new era.
Thuy Le
Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202602/trai-tim-nguoi-thay-thuoc-quan-y-3c32f3b/
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