Continue writing the story of charity in the highlands

Major of the National Defense Forces, Doctor Nguyen Cong Minh, born in 1976, is the son of a 3/4-class disabled veteran. Witnessing his father's pain every time the weather changed, Nguyen Cong Minh soon cherished the dream of becoming a doctor to help his father and those around him. Overcoming many difficulties, Minh became a military doctor and currently works at the Military-Civilian Medical Clinic, Economic-Defense Group (KT-QP) 4, Military Region 4. Having been attached to the people of Ky Son (Nghe An) for many years, he is considered a relative and benefactor of the village by the people here.

Turn difficulties into motivation to rise up

Nguyen Cong Minh grew up in the arms of a father who bore wounds not only on his body but also deeply engraved in his memory. His father was a wounded soldier in the resistance war against the US to save the country. He returned from the fiery battlefield of Tri Thien with a part of his body left behind on the front line. Minh's childhood was associated with the image of his father enduring persistent pain, having difficulty walking, and many sleepless nights because of his recurring wounds. Every time he followed his father to the hospital, witnessing the doctors and nurses taking care of him, Minh silently nurtured his dream of becoming a doctor. Not only to heal his beloved father but also to help people who had sacrificed for the Fatherland like him. His father's pain and his mother's hard work and hardship became the motivation for Minh to continue and constantly strive forward.

Major of the National Defense Forces, Doctor Nguyen Cong Minh performs an ultrasound for a local resident in My Ly commune, Ky Son district, November 2024. Photo provided by the character

In 1996, after graduating from high school, Nguyen Cong Minh enlisted in the 80th Information Brigade, Military Region 4. Recognizing his aspirations and abilities, the unit created conditions for him to study nursing at Military Hospital 268, Logistics Department of Military Region 4. After graduation, he was assigned to work at Division 324, Military Region 4. The practical working environment along with the guidance from his teammates and superiors helped his skills become increasingly solid. In any task, Minh completed it excellently and was trusted by his superiors, who created conditions for him to study intermediate military medicine. After completing the course, he returned to work at Division 324.

In 2005, when the 4th Military Economic Group needed to recruit military medical staff for the Military-Civilian Medical Clinic, Minh volunteered. The 4th Military Economic Group was stationed in an area of 8 communes in the border, remote and isolated areas of Nghe An province. This is an especially difficult area, with rugged terrain, harsh weather, and prone to infectious diseases such as dengue fever, viral fever, tick fever, acute diarrhea, etc.; the people's education is still low, early marriage and suicide by using poison ivy still occur; there are still many bad customs, such as believing in hiring shamans to cure diseases. Meanwhile, the local health system lacks human resources, facilities and medicine.

Amidst these countless challenges, he and his Party cell gradually overcame the difficulties and put the Infirmary into regular operation. However, the reality showed that the medical examination and treatment needs of soldiers and local people far exceeded the Infirmary's ability to meet them. Worried about this situation, he boldly proposed to the unit commander to allow him to continue studying at university to improve his qualifications. For him, only by studying could he bring back knowledge to help his comrades and local people reduce the pain caused by illness.

However, when all the study plans had been carefully prepared, an unexpected incident occurred: His wife became seriously ill. After being taken to the lowlands for examination, the doctor diagnosed his wife with hemophilia (thrombocytopenic purpura). At the same time, his father-in-law, a 3/4-class war invalid, had a relapse of his war wound. His father, father-in-law, and wife were all seriously ill, his two mothers were old and weak, his children were still young... difficulties piled up.

Major of the National Health Service, Doctor Nguyen Cong Minh examines the elderly at home in Bung village, Muong Ai commune, Ky Son district (December 2024). Photo provided by the character

But it was during those days that seemed to be exhausting that Minh became even more determined. He thought that only studying would help him have enough strength to protect his loved ones, both physically and mentally. Thanks to the encouragement of his family and teammates, in 2009, he set out to continue his studies. Four years later, in 2013, Minh graduated from university with honors, then returned to his village in Western Nghe An , continuing his mission of treating and saving people, connecting with his fellow countrymen as he had promised on the first day.

Village doctor

Having worked in the border region for 20 years, Dr. Nguyen Cong Minh cannot remember how many times he has crossed forests and waded through streams to save people in time. His voice drops when he talks about working trips on cold, rainy nights, when the forest roads are slippery and water from the mountain streams floods the trails and openings that are the only roads for people. In the pitch black darkness, the working group holds hands and crosses each dangerous section of road, observing to prevent landslides. There were days when it took them nearly 4 hours to reach the place where the patient needed emergency care.

Despite the hardships and dangers, throughout all those years, he and his teammates have never abandoned anyone in pain or illness. When recalling emergency cases, he humbly recounts a few recent stories, as evidence of his unwavering dedication.

In early September 2024, Ms. Va Y Do in Tham Hin village, Nam Can commune, Ky Son district was taken by her family to the Military Medical Clinic, Economic and Military Group 4 in a critical condition. The family knew that if they transferred her to the district or provincial level, it would be too late because the road was too far and dangerous. Faced with that situation, Mr. Minh and the doctors quickly received and examined her. Diagnosing that the pregnant woman was in a transverse position, a very dangerous birth, he and his team applied professional measures combined with many years of experience to help the pregnant woman "have a safe delivery" to the joy of her family and villagers.

Or at 2:00 a.m. on December 27, 2024, Ms. Lau Y My in Phu Kha 2 village, Na Ngoi commune, Ky Son district was hospitalized in a state of cardiovascular collapse due to food poisoning. An extremely dangerous case, if transferred to a higher level, it would take a long time, and complications that could affect life could easily occur. After reporting to the commander and taking professional responsibility, Mr. Minh and the medical team made great efforts to save her. After 5 days of emergency care, Ms. My fully recovered with the deep gratitude of her family and the people. Most recently, on May 10, 2025, they saved the life of a patient who ate poison leaves, patient Gia Y Vu (40 years old) in Na Ngoi commune... There are many other patients who are very seriously ill, if there were no initial emergency care from the Military-Civilian Medical Clinic, Economic-Defense Group 4, the patient would have a high risk of death.

  Major of the National Defense Forces, Doctor Nguyen Cong Minh delivers a baby for pregnant woman Gia Y Chi, Phu Kha 1 village, Na Ngoi commune, Ky Son district, June 2024. Photo provided by the character

Over the years, the Military Medical Clinic, Economic-Defense Group 4 has not only examined, treated, provided emergency care, and taken care of people's health, but also proactively prevented and fought epidemics and provided medical support to units stationed in 11 communes (now 8 communes) in the Economic-Defense Zone and neighboring areas. Each year, the Clinic organizes 3-4 health check-ups, consultations, and free medicine distribution in 4-6 villages out of 34 communes. In addition, Clinic staff also visit each household to examine and provide medicine to the elderly, the disabled, and those who cannot walk. Along with professional activities, the Clinic also actively propagates to raise community awareness, eliminates bad customs such as worshiping ghosts and performing rituals to cure diseases; mobilizes people to practice scientific hygiene, environmental sanitation, no early marriage, no free migration, no illegal proselytizing, and prevent and combat drug abuse.

Not only is he a good doctor, Nguyen Cong Minh is also a person who is always thinking and searching for practical initiatives. During the Covid-19 outbreak (2020-2021), he and the staff of the Infirmary researched and successfully manufactured an "automatic hand sanitizer" to serve the work of epidemic prevention and control and taking care of people's health. He is also a pioneer in many movements of the unit, such as: "Helping children go to school" model, supporting poor students to study; "Building green-clean-beautiful villages" model, creating a fresh environment... In particular, together with the Infirmary Party Committee, they advised the Party Committee of the Youth Union to allocate funds to increase production to support meals for patients and their families during the treatment period - a very humane gesture, helping people in times of difficulty and adversity, thereby contributing to enhancing the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of the people.

LE ANH TAN

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/viet-tiep-cau-chuyen-nhan-ai-noi-reo-cao-837080