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The patient being transferred to the operating room |
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Vietnamese doctors performing the emergency surgery overnight |
The patient, a soldier from a Ghana Infantry Unit, was admitted at 9p.m. (local time) on October 3 with severe pain in the right iliac fossa that had persisted since the morning. After clinical examination and imaging diagnostics, the Emergency Room (ER) team reported the case to the hospital’s management, suspecting acute appendicitis. An urgent consultation confirmed a diagnosis of acute appendicitis with a risk of rupture, a potentially life-threatening condition if not treated promptly.
The hospital’s leadership immediately activated the U.N.-standard medical response protocol, sought guidance from the UNMISS Chief Medical Officer, and decided to proceed with surgery the same night. After nearly one hour of precise and coordinated work, the operation was successfully completed. The patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at 12:10 a.m. local time, fully conscious, responsive, and now recovering well.
This success holds special significance for the L2FH Rotation 7, which has only been officially deployed in South Sudan for a week and is still in the process of establishing living quarters and workspaces while handling logistics tasks, such as receiving medical equipment and setting up facilities. Despite the heavy workload, the hospital’s doctors, nurses, and medical staff have demonstrated unity, professionalism, and dedication, ensuring uninterrupted medical care for U.N. personnel and readiness for any mission that may arise.
During its first week of deployment, the hospital received and treated 36 patients, including 18 outpatient and 18 emergency cases. This reflects the significant volume of work the medical team will face throughout their mission, requiring the entire unit to quickly adapt to the challenging field conditions.
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The joy of Vietnamese medical staff after the successful operation |
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Dedicated Vietnamese doctors and nurses caring for the patient |
The successful operation not only affirms the professional competence of Vietnam’s L2FH Rotation 7 but also strengthens the confidence of international forces operating under the UNMISS mission.
By Tien Phuc (from South Sudan)
Translated by Tran Hoai