Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, and the journey to bring the Dong Nai Stroke Unit up to international standards

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, has held various positions and has been with the Department of Neurology at Dong Nai General Hospital since 2010. Since then, Dr. Quang, along with the department’s team of doctors and medical staff, has laid the foundation, built, and developed the stroke unit within the department.

With his dedicated contributions to the provincial healthcare sector, in 2025, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, was honored to receive the title of "Meritorious Physician" from the President.

Over 20 years of dedication to the profession

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, examines a stroke patient after intervention. Photo: Quang Phat

After graduating from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP) in 2004, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II and currently Head of the Department of Neurology, began working at Dong Nai General Hospital. With dedication and continuous effort, in 2024, Dr. Quang and the Department of Neurology were honored as one of only three stroke units nationwide to receive the Diamond Award from the World Stroke Organization.

The Department of Neurology currently has 51 beds and 32 staff members. As the leading stroke treatment unit in the province, the department admits and treats thousands of patients each year. Specifically, in 2019, the department admitted nearly 1,000 stroke patients; from 2023 to the present, the number of stroke patients treated has increased to 1,200 patients per year, requiring the department to continuously develop in terms of both bed capacity and treatment and care expertise. As the head of the department for many years, Dr. Quang, along with the department's team of doctors, has overcome difficulties and challenges, successfully completing their tasks. This accomplishment has led to increasingly specialized and improved quality of care and treatment for patients.

Dr. Huynh Tan Phuc, Deputy Head of the Department of Neurology, who has accompanied Dr. Quang for 10 years in developing the stroke unit, shared: "The Department of Neurology and the stroke unit have achieved great success thanks to Dr. Quang's enthusiasm and expertise. From the early days of establishing the stroke unit, Dr. Quang was very enthusiastic about treatment activities. By successfully performing the first thrombolysis cases, Dr. Quang created opportunities for some colleagues to study interventional procedures to jointly develop the stroke unit and the Department of Neurology. Currently, the department is operating very well."

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, trains medical staff at Binh Phuoc General Hospital on stroke emergency care. Photo: Quang Phat

Bui Ngoc Voc (Tam Hiep ward) is a patient who recently made a remarkable recovery after endovascular intervention following a stroke. He was admitted to the emergency room by his family with symptoms of hemiplegia, inability to speak, and altered consciousness. This incident was a case of stroke with an unknown onset time. After examination and evaluation of the patient's condition through paraclinical tests, doctors determined that the patient had a large cerebral artery occlusion and indicated mechanical thrombectomy. After the intervention, the blood vessel was completely recanalized. The patient recovered very well with almost no sequelae.

Voc recounted: "I woke up near morning feeling like I couldn't speak clearly, my hands and feet were numb, and I couldn't clench my fists. When I got to the hospital, the doctors gave me an MRI and then performed the intervention. After 1 day, I felt much better, about 70-80%. I could eat and walk. The doctors here are very professional and caring."

Bringing stroke treatment closer to patients

To improve the effectiveness of stroke treatment, in recent times, Dr. Quang has directly guided, transferred techniques, and updated professional knowledge for lower-level hospitals; and organized a network for treating stroke patients among hospitals in the province. This endeavor has contributed to shortening treatment time and improving patients' recovery ability.

"Sharing my experience and knowledge will help other units implement stroke treatment more easily. The more stroke units the province deploys, the more opportunities patients have for early treatment. In stroke treatment, early treatment is an extremely important factor that gives patients a high chance of returning to their daily lives and activities," said Dr. Quang.

Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, updates lecturers and students of Dong Nai Medical College on the recognition and management of strokes. Photo: Quang Phat

Dong Nai currently has four stroke treatment units, including the general hospitals of Dong Nai, Thong Nhat, Long Khanh Region, and Dinh Quan Region. In the time ahead, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, along with the Department of Neurology at Dong Nai General Hospital, will continue to support other units in realizing the vision of establishing a comprehensive stroke treatment network, featuring the largest stroke center based at Dong Nai General Hospital and multiple satellite hospitals. Successfully implementing this model will not only benefit more patients but also ease the burden on the terminal hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City.

With his efforts and contributions to Dong Nai's healthcare sector, in 2025, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Quang, Specialist Level II, was honored to receive the title of "Meritorious Physician" from the President.

By My Linh, Quang Phat – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho