Born into a family rich in revolutionary tradition, with her father being a military doctor who participated in the resistance war against the U.S. imperialists, from an early age, Hang listened to her father’s stories of treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield. In a war zone filled with bombs, shells, and extreme shortages, military doctors were required to have not only strong determination and skills but also quick and accurate decision-making to save lives.
Her father’s stories left a deep impression on Hang and inspired her to become a medical worker. In 2003, after graduating from high school, she decided to apply to the Military Medical Vocational Training School I (now Military Medical College I) and achieved her goal. Upon completing her studies, she was assigned to work at Military Hospital 4 (under the Department of Logistics - Technical Services of Military Region 4). In the early days working at the hospital, she faced numerous challenges. Despite the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, through perseverance, continuous learning from colleagues and superiors, and self-research, she quickly adapted to the job and earned the trust and affection of both colleagues and patients.
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Non-Commissioned Major Bui Thi Thuy Hang and South Sudanese children |
In 2020, when her superiors announced the recruitment of personnel for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the young officer volunteered to join the force. After passing a rigorous selection process and completing professional and language training courses, she joined the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4 in South Sudan in April 2022, with encouragement from her family.
During her time in South Sudan, apart from carrying out regular mission at the hospital, Hang and her colleagues participated in charity activities, such as providing free medical examinations, distributing medicines, giving gifts, books, and clothes to children, and equipping locals with farming techniques and disease prevention methods. The non-commissioned major recalled that at first she and her colleagues faced many difficulties due to harsh climate, poor living conditions, and communication barriers. However, everyone strived and regularly shared their experience to help each other successfully complete the mission.
For Hang, the time in South Sudan will forever be an unforgettable memory. She recalled a time when a pregnant woman was brought to the hospital by her family to give birth to her child. However, the family was very poor, and the newborn did not have any clothes. With compassion and responsibility, she used some fabric brought from Vietnam to sew diapers and clothes for the baby. Touched by Hang’s thoughtful and caring assistance, the mother cried and expressed her heartfelt thanks.
Hang also shared that during her time in South Sudan, whenever she had free time, she would talk with the local people to learn about their healthcare practices, provide them with health protection methods and farming techniques, and share with them Vietnam's cultural traditions. She recalled that one time a Sudanese woman saw her embroidering a picture of the Vietnamese countryside, she praised Hang’s work and asked to learn embroidery skills from her. Since then, many local women came to learn how to embroider from her. The embroidery works with the images of the red flag with a golden star, rural landscapes, and the Vietnamese people were then created by Hang and the people of South Sudan.
Thanks to practical assistance, the bond between Major Hang and the local people and between the Vietnamese peacekeepers and the Sudanese grew stronger. They always considered Hang a member of their families. When the L2FH Rotation 4 was about to return to Vietnam, hundreds of local residents came to bid farewell to Hang and her colleagues.
For her outstanding contribution during her mission in South Sudan, Hang received several honors, including a Certificate of Merit from the Chief of the General Staff, a certificate from Major General Muhammad Zain Khan, a Senior Medical Officer of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and the Medal for United Nations Peacekeeping Cause.
Translated by Tran Hoai