The patient, Tran Doi, born in 1971, residing in Binh Dinh Province, is a fisherman working on fishing vessel BD 97884. He was admitted to the Nam Yet Island Infirmary at 7:00 a.m. on December 31, 2025. Prior to the admission, the patient suddenly experienced dizziness, weakness in his arms and legs, and collapsed onto the deck of the boat without any traumatic injury. His condition then rapidly worsened, with symptoms including difficulty speaking, choking while swallowing, and urinary incontinence.
    |
 |
|
Intensive care provided for the patient during the flight |
Immediately after receiving the information, Military Hospital 175 closely coordinated with the Nam Yet Island Infirmary and conducted three rounds of telemedicine consultations, providing guidance for close monitoring and intensive treatment.
During the night of December 31, 2025, and the early morning of January 1, 2026, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He was diagnosed with suspected progressive cerebral edema due to extensive left hemispheric cerebral infarction, with intracerebral hemorrhage not yet excluded, accompanied by severe bradyarrhythmia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and pneumonia.
Doctors assessed the prognosis as extremely serious, with a high risk of death if timely intervention was not provided. The Nam Yet Island Infirmary was instructed to secure the airway, aggressively manage cerebral edema, administer antibiotics, and closely monitor cardiovascular and neurological parameters of the patient.
|
|
 |
|
The helicopter lands at the helipad, transporting the critically ill patient from Nam Yet Island to the mainland for treatment. |
Given the critical condition, Military Hospital 175 decided to propose an aero-medical evacuation for the patient, despite the significant risks associated with air transport. Complying with the order of the Ministry of National Defense, at 6:30 p.m. on January 1, 2026, a helicopter of Corps 18, together with the air medical evacuation team of Military Hospital 175, transported the patient to the mainland.
Immediately upon the arrival, the patient was transferred to the emergency department of Military Hospital 175 for further specialized treatment.
The success of the evacuation not only demonstrated the high professional competence and strong sense of responsibility of the emergency medical team, military doctors, medical staff, and helicopter crew, but also carried special significance on the first day of the New Year 2026. It affirmed the spirit of combat readiness and highlighted the vital role of the aero-medical evacuation system in protecting and caring for the health of both military personnel and civilians in the sacred sea and island areas of the Fatherland.
Translated by Song Anh