Medical check-ups, medicines and gifts for nearly 2,000 residents of Son Thanh commune in Dak Lak province

Implementing the directive of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, on the morning of November 26, doctors and medical staff from the working delegation sent to support Dak Lak province in overcoming the aftermath of natural disasters and flooding conducted medical check-ups, distributed medicine, and presented gifts to residents of Son Thanh commune. The delegation also carried out disinfection spraying in several other communes in Dak Lak province as planned.

Doctors and medical staff welcome older people coming for medical check-ups. Photo: Cong Nghia

At the hall of the Son Thanh commune center, although the medical examination and medicine distribution were scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m., by 5:30 a.m., the delegation of doctors and medical staff from Dong Nai province had already arrived, ready to welcome and serve residents coming for check-ups and to receive medications.

Duong Hoai Vu, Head of the Emergency Department at Thong Nhat General Hospital, shared: “We are very eager to meet and assist residents seeking medical care, as prolonged exposure to flooding conditions can easily lead to various illnesses, especially among the elderly and young children.”

Do Thi Nguyen, Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, conducts medical examinations for residents. Photo: Cong Nghia

Many residents, especially the elderly and young children, were delighted to welcome the delegation of doctors and medical staff from Dong Nai province who came to provide medical check-ups, distribute medicine, and present gifts. After days of living with floodwaters, being isolated, and having limited access to healthcare services, residents were facing numerous health issues, particularly conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses.

A pediatric specialist examines a young child showing signs of a respiratory illness. Photo: Cong Nghia

Many children in the flood-affected areas are at risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Photo: Cong Nghia

Despite having to make a rushed trip to Dak Lak over long distances and challenging terrain, the Dong Nai Department of Health and the delegation of doctors and medical staff arrived well-prepared with basic medical equipment and essential medicines. In addition to receiving medical examinations, residents were also given medicine, gifts, and 500,000 VND in cash.

Doctors and medical staff conduct an electrocardiogram on an elderly resident. Photo: Cong Nghia

Nguyen Ngoc Trung, a resident in Son Thanh commune, emotionally shared that: “Doctors, medical staff from Dong Nai province come to our flood-affected areas with enthusiasm, care, and thoroughness. Now more than ever, their support is extremely valuable for us.”

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Bay from Sơn Thanh commune said that the sudden flood had submerged her entire house, and her family had consumed everything they could eat. When they had instant noodles, there was no hot water to prepare them, so they had to eat the noodles dry. “After living for days in the flood without any preventive medication, my blood pressure kept rising. I felt dizzy, had headaches, and was very fatigued. I am thrilled to meet the doctors from Dong Nai. Having medicine to take right away made me feel much more at ease,” Bay shared.

Staff of the Dong Nai Red Cross Society present gifts to residents coming for medical check-ups. Photo: Cong Nghia

Le Thi Thao, a resident of Son Thanh commune, brought her one-year-old child for a medical check-up and shared: “Over the past few days of flooding, the weather has been cold, and my child has had a persistent cough, but we didn’t have the means to visit a doctor. Yesterday, I received a notice from the commune, so I brought my child in for an examination today. The pediatrician examined my child, prescribed medicine, and gave comprehensive and attentive instructions on how to maintain the child's health in the current flood conditions.”

Residents feel more at ease receiving family medicine kits presented by the team of doctors from Dong Nai. Photo: Cong Nghia

Vo Ba Dat, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Son Thanh commune, said: “After the floods, the risk of disease outbreaks is very high. The People’s Committee of Dak Lak province took great care to introduce the delegation of doctors from Dong Nai province to come to Son Thanh, which brought great joy to the local authorities and residents.”

According to the data from the cadre who led the delegation, nearly 2,000 residents of Son Thanh commune received medical examinations and medicines this morning. In addition to prescribed treatment, each resident also received a family medicine kit.

Staff from the Dong Nai Center for Disease Control (CDC) under the Dong Nai Department of Health, in coordination with Dong Xuan commune, Dak Lak province, carried out environmental disinfection after the floods. Photo: Xuan Hiep

Additionally, this morning, the provincial delegation carried out disinfection and environmental sanitation in several communes of Dak Lak that were severely affected by the historic floods. At the same time, youth volunteer teams from the Dong Nai Youth Union (Provincial Youth Union) were deployed to assist residents with cleaning, house repairs, and restoring electricity and water systems.

This afternoon, November 26, the provincial delegation will continue traveling to other communes in the area to carry out planned activities.

Following the floods, a substantial amount of waste has accumulated and remains uncollected, including poultry carcasses, which poses a risk of disease outbreaks. Photo: Xuan Hiep

Environmental sanitation in communes recently affected by severe flooding is being carried out urgently. Photo: Xuan Hiep

By Cong Nghia – Translated by Thu Hien, Minho