Joining hands to care for Agent Orange victims’ health

More than half a century after the war, the lingering effects of Agent Orange/dioxin exposure continue to silently affect thousands of people who directly participated in the resistance war and their children.

An Agent Orange victim receives a free health check-up in Tran Bien Ward.

In Dong Nai City, alongside the full implementation of Government benefits and policies, the health sector is stepping up health care, regular medical examinations, treatment counseling and rehabilitation services, helping Agent Orange victims lead better lives.

A lingering pain

At the age of 71, Nguyen Hoang Vu, a resident of Tran Bien Ward, still goes to Dong Nai General Hospital every month for medical check-ups and medication. He joined the guerrilla forces in 1972 and later fought on the battlefields of Military Region 5 and Cambodia. He was exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the Quang Ngai battlefield. He is now a war invalid with a 41% disability rate and is also recognized as an Agent Orange victim with a 41% disability rate.

Advanced age and numerous health problems have left him requiring treatment for several chronic conditions. Thanks to a health insurance card covering 100% of eligible medical expenses, his monthly examinations and treatment do not place an additional financial burden on him or his family.

Recently, doctors from Ai Nghia Bien Hoa General Clinic also visited his locality to provide him with a health check-up, dietary advice, guidance on medication use and monitoring of his chronic conditions.

“For years, I have always received the attention and support of the Party, the State and local authorities. Now that I am old and in poor health, I’m deeply moved to have doctors come directly to where I live to examine me. It makes me feel that I have not been forgotten,” Vu said.

Bui Van Quoc, 73, also a resident of Tran Bien Ward, once fought on the Xuan Loc front and in Cambodia. As an Agent Orange victim, he has developed several other health problems that require monthly follow-up examinations.

“For several years now, I have regularly gone to the hospital for check-ups and medication. At my age, I receive all the benefits and policies provided by the Party and the State. I ask for nothing more than stable health and enough medication whenever I go for my medical examinations,” Quoc said.

Long-term health care and support

In reality, Agent Orange victims may face a range of health problems, including chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders and musculoskeletal conditions. Many have to undergo lifelong treatment, take medication regularly and receive periodic medical check-ups.

In recent years, alongside ensuring the full implementation of government benefits and policies, Dong Nai City's health sector has increased the organization of mobile medical examinations and health consultations, as well as community-based monitoring of chronic diseases. These efforts have helped many victims, particularly older people, overcome difficulties in accessing health services.

Dong Nai City currently has more than 13,000 Agent Orange victims. Of these, more than 2,200 directly participated in resistance activities, 969 are children of people who participated in the resistance war, and more than 9,000 are civilians. This group requires long-term health care, as most suffer from multiple chronic diseases, declining health or long-lasting disabilities and complications.

Master of Science Pham Thi Mai Huong, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, said the health sector is working closely with relevant departments, agencies and localities to organize regular health examinations and free screening programs for residents. Priority is given to policy beneficiaries, Agent Orange victims and people who rendered services to the revolution. During medical examinations, doctors also create electronic health records to manage each person's health throughout their lifetime. In addition, they provide guidance on appropriate nutrition, rehabilitation exercises, proper medication use and regular health monitoring to prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Dao Ngoc Bich, Vice Chairwoman of the Trade Union at the Dong Nai Center for Disease Control (CDC), said that since 2009, the unit has sponsored lifelong care for 10 Agent Orange victims in Tri An Ward and Tan An Commune. All of them are children of people who participated in the resistance war and were exposed to Agent Orange. Every quarter, the CDC Dong Nai Trade Union visits them, offers encouragement and provides financial support of nearly VND2 million per person. During these visits, if any victim is found to have health problems, the union also connects them with benefactors to provide medication and guides them to seek specialized medical care at health facilities.

According to Bich, the consequences of Agent Orange are not only the pain of former soldiers but also affect multiple generations within their families. Therefore, caring for Agent Orange victims' health is not solely the responsibility of the health sector; it also requires joint efforts from authorities at all levels, social organizations and the wider community. Through practical initiatives, CDC Dong Nai hopes to contribute to caring for victims' physical well-being while giving them greater confidence and motivation to overcome stigma and lead stable lives. It is also a way of expressing gratitude to those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the nation's independence and freedom.

By Hanh Dung - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha