Over the past years, they have collaborated with local medical sector and charity organizations to provide free health check-ups, health advice, medicines and gifts to thousands of people in border areas. They are also the first force to give assistance to people with health problems or having accidents since their houses are often far from medical establishments.
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The medical staff of the Binh Dinh provincial Border Guard Command and the Border Post of Quy Nhon Border Gate give emergency aid to Indonesian crew-member Zainal Abidin. |
Non-commissioned Major Truong Dinh Quang, a medical staffer from Tam Quan Nam Border Post, has 21 years of experience. He has saved hundreds of patients in critical conditions. For him, saving the patients brings unforgettable memories.
He recalled that on March 19, 2024, he, with his expertise and locals’ support, saved two drowned students. They were among three students from Hoai Duong Secondary School, Hoai Thuong ward, Hoai Nhon township drowning when swimming. Luckily, a local resident rescued them, but the two were in serious health conditions while the other was conscious but panicked.
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Giving health examination to fishermen aboard Hoa Lu 2 vessel |
Another case that Quang still remembered is that one day when he was sleeping, a relative of Tran Van Doi in Tang Long 2 quarter, Tam Quan Nam ward, Hoai Nhon township called the post informing that Doi had a stroke and needed support. Quang immediately took his medical bag and rushed to Doi’s house. At that time, Doi’s body had cherry-red skin color and his face was pale. With his own experience, Quang successfully saved the patient from the critical stage.
People in coastal areas in Binh Dinh province are familiar with the images of “green badge” medical staff, regardless of distance, time, weather conditions like heavy rains, storms or floods, rushing to meet patients to give them timely treatment and provide useful health care advice for them. These medical personnel have also well prevented such seasonal diseases as dengue fever, diphtheria, malaria, and respiratory diseases.
Moreover, they have promoted information dissemination to encourage locals to live a hygienic and scientific life, develop economy, and observe the Party’s policies and the State’s laws. They have also carried out national healthcare programs, including the expanded program on immunization, vaccination against tuberculosis, child malnutrition prevention, and reproductive health.
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Non-commission Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Van Phung (left) gives first aid to distressed fisherman. |
Nguyen Van Tang, born in 1952 from Lam Truc 1 quarter, Hoai Thanh ward, Hoai Nhon township, spoke highly of the medical force of the provincial border guard force. According to him, they often give support to local people. He is now getting much better from his asthma and many local people have also been examined, given medicines, and emergency aid by the medical force of the command.
Non-commission Lieutenant Colonel Huynh Van Phung from the Military Medical Sub-division under the Division of Logistics - Technical Services of the provincial Border Guard Command said that engaging in search and rescue operations for distressed fishermen at sea is a typical task of the “green badge” medical staff in coastal areas. This mission requires their professional expertise and readiness to undertake tasks in any weather conditions and at any time.
Most recently, at about 11:00 on December 11, 2024, Indonesian crew-member Zainal Abidin, aged 54, was heavily injured on his face and left eye when Singaporean vessel KOTA GAYA, which was en route from China to Singapore, had an accident some 290 nautical miles from Quy Nhon port. On learning about the news, the medical staff rushed to the scene, received and gave emergency aid to the patient.
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Providing free medicines to people in Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province |
Phung also noted the case on last December 21 when the medical staff visited and provided health examination for 14 crew-members aboard Hoa Lu 2 vessel of Ninh Binh Transport and Trade Co., Ltd. sinking in the waters near Hon Nuoc area in Phu My district.
There are many other cases that the medical force of the Binh Dinh provincial Border Guard Command has dealt with to save distressed people at sea, ensuring their health and life, and helping fishermen feel secure when holding on to the sea.
Translated by Mai Huong