Dr gives advice to the wife of a man diagnosed with HIV. (Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Dr Ngo Thi Anh Dong is so devoted to her job and patients, and so
well-loved, that when she’s absent from the health clinic on any given day,
people tend to panic.
Where is she?, the patients ask. They even call her up to ask if anything is
wrong.
“It shows that I’m lodged deep in their heart,” the 62-year-old said.
Since 2005, Dr Dong has
been working at an outpatient clinic for HIV patients at the Binh Thanh
District Preventive Health Centre.
The clinic provides counselling, antiretroviral () therapy and
community-based support to 1,800 people with HIV.
“I’ll work until my health will no longer allow me,” Dong said. “I don’t dare
quit because I’m not sure if my replacement would be as devoted as I am.”
In 1999, Dong began
working as an obstetrician at the Preventive Health Centre in District 4, and
was hired in 2001 as the only doctor at the centre’s outpatient clinic.
Since that time, she has
mostly treated people with HIV.
“I’ve wanted to quit
many times, but I haven’t,” Dong said. “When we show patients love,
they treat us kindly. I’ve never been badly treated by patients.”.
She recalled that, one
day after a heavy rain, Xom Chieu street where the clinic is located was
flooded. She should have stayed at home, but after several patients
phoned her, Dong left to visit them.
“If I hadn’t gone, what
would have happened to them? At that time, they needed me,” Dong said, adding
that patients also need “warm arms and love” from health officials and the
community.
Many people in the
community, however, are not sympathetic to HIV patients and, unfortunately,
display discriminatory attitudes toward them, she said.
Dong is determined to
treat the patients with respect so they can become confident and integrate into
society.
One patient said that
when he learned of his HIV status he was “shocked and depressed”.
But Dr Dong showed him
respect and helped him get a job as a peer educator for HIV patients.
He in his job speaks
with people and encourages them to take a HIV test, and if the results are
positive, asks them to agree to receive ARV therapy.
“If I hadn’t met DrDong,
I wouldn’t be healthy and have such a stable job,” he said.
The wife of a man with
HIV spoke about Dong’s dedication. “She called my husband when she
realised that he was not taking his medicine on schedule.”
Nguyen Thi Huong, the
clinic’s new doctor, said: “Dong shows enthusiasm when she works with me. She
teaches me everything, including how to communicate with people with and
the best medical treatments.”
Dong knows the living
circumstance of each person with HIV treated at the clinic, Huong said, adding
that Dong also helps them try to overcome their personal difficulties.
Late last month, Dong
was one of 113 people honoured by the HCM City People’s Committee and Vietnam
Fatherland Front for their contributions to a civilised society and to the
promotion of a good quality of life.
Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman
of the city People’s Committee, who spoke at the ceremony, said: “Their silent
and noble contributions need to be honoured because they are done from their
heart. These people are the seeds that cultivate goodness in life.”
Vietnam’s Vice President
Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, speaking at the ceremony, called the recipients
“commendable models who’ve advocated humanitarian activities which have
contributed to a kinder and better society.”-VNA
Source: VietnamPlus
