From the moment I arrived at Sop Bao District Medical Center, I was struck by the warm welcome. Local Lao military doctors and healthcare staff lined up to greet the delegation of Vietnamese military doctors. Inside the medical area, a large crowd of residents had already gathered, patiently waiting for their turn. The heartfelt handshakes and bright smiles exchanged between the doctors of both nations resembled a reunion of brothers after a long time.
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Lao military medical personnel welcoming their Vietnamese colleagues |
Mr. Namphone Phommalit, Head of the Medical Department of Sop Bao district, shared, "The news of military doctors from both countries coming for free medical consultations and medication made locals extremely excited, prompting them to arrive early. This is the first time our people have welcomed such a large, highly skilled team from prestigious military hospitals in both Vietnam and Laos, so everyone is eagerly awaiting their turn."
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Military doctors from both nations providing health checkups for children in Sop Bao district, Houaphanh province (Laos) |
Despite the excitement, locals adhered to the regulations and followed the instructions of the doctors and medical staff.
During the program, I closely followed Major Hoang Trong Hai, Deputy Director of Military Hospital No.6 (under Military Region 2) and the leader of the Vietnamese delegation. He provided regular updates about the turnout at the medical sites. Although the number of patients sometimes exceeded expectations, he exuded optimism and confidence, "We constantly communicate with our Lao counterparts to monitor the situation and adjust our schedule or staff deployment as needed. This ensures that everyone who comes for a consultation receives medical care and free medication. True to our principle of ‘As long as people need us, we doctors will serve,’ we have prepared ample medication reserves and arranged personnel to ensure every patient is taken care of."
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Doctors providing thorough health consultations to residents |
Xay Nha Seng Song Dong Da, Secretary of the Party Committee and Head of Sop Bao district, expressed his joy, "This is the first time I’ve seen our people turn up for medical consultations with such enthusiasm, as if it were a festival. This affirms the trust and admiration our people have for Vietnamese military doctors. We hope that every year, we will have the opportunity to welcome these compassionate and skilled 'Uncle Ho’s soldiers.'"
One particularly touching moment during this meaningful journey was when the joint medical teams visited the home of 90-year-old Kham Xi in Sop Bao village. Her husband, a severely injured war veteran, fought alongside Vietnamese volunteer soldiers. Now living with her daughter, Kham Xi was overwhelmed with emotion after receiving a free medical examination and medication for both herself and her husband. She tearfully shared, "In the past, my husband often spoke about the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers - 'Uncle Ho’s Soldiers.' Now, being cared for by skilled Vietnamese military doctors, I feel an even greater affection for the Vietnamese soldiers and people."
The program concluded with a cozy gathering in Moc Chau townlet (Son La province). Amid the crispy early winter air of the border highlands, members of both delegations exchanged heartfelt sentiments.
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Joint medical teams visiting and providing free healthcare for policy beneficiary families in Sop Bao district |
Colonel Khenthong Phatthanakham, Deputy Director of the Lao Military Medical Department and head of the Lao delegation, shared emotionally, "Through this joint program, our medical team has gained valuable experience that we can apply to the regular care of soldiers and civilians. This is a significant benefit of the program."
In response, Senior Colonel Le Van Dong, Deputy Chief of the Department of Military Medicine (under the General Department of Logistics) and head of the Vietnamese delegation, affirmed, "Based on the program’s tangible and meaningful results, we will propose to our superiors and work with our Lao counterparts to organize more joint medical programs for border communities. This will further strengthen the special friendship and solidarity between the military medical forces of both nations in particular and their militaries in general."
Translated by Trung Thanh