The Covid-19 pandemic in Danang still shows no signs of abating. The city has implemented home-treatment and quarantine, but patient visits to medical centers continue to increase, for preparing medical declarations, for testing, or picking up quick test kits. Fortunately, DTU Medical students have volunteered to assist permanent staff at the centers.
A call from an “orange” area
Nguyen Nhat Linh, a fourth-year medical student at Danang University, received a call at her home in Ha Tinh from the Nai Hien Dong ward in the Son Tra district in Danang, asking her to come and assist. “At that time, Nai Hien Dong was an ‘orange’ or 3 level but I went immediately.” Nhat Linh took a bus, with the support and encouragement of Linh’s parents, despite their worries. Nhat Linh had previously volunteered in September 2021, during severe outbreaks in Danang and Nai Hien Dong.
Nhat Linh packed her books and clothes in preparation for study and work at the medical center. During class hours, Nhat Linh studies online on the second floor and at nights Nhat Linh reviews lessons by watching class recordings. At work, Nhat Linh takes patient samples at the center or at their homes and gives advice on quarantine or quick test procedures or attends to arrivals with wounds or blood loss. “Sometimes, while I’m still studying, they call me downstairs to take samples, so I put my books aside and go.” said Nhat Linh.
Ready to go to hotspots
Thai Thi Hoang Anh, a fourth-year DTU medical student, assisted in Binh Duong province from June to October 2021, when the pandemic was at its worst there. She mostly took test samples and administered Covid-19 vaccinations to large numbers of people, working from morning to evening. “These days, it doesn’t matter how much work there is,” says Hoang Anh bravely. “I deal with it. Whenever I’m needed at hotspots, I’m ready to go.”
Le Thi Trang, a fifth-year medical student at the DTU Faculty of Medicine, rushed to the medical center when she first heard that the ward had called the university for help from students still remaining in Danang. Trang is group leader of mostly fourth and fifth-year students with frontline experience, so she immediately asked them all to volunteer at the medical center, ensuring that would be at least two students helping there every day.
Do everything you can while the center needs you
When I arrived at the center, I saw Nguyen Xuan Vinh, a fourth-year medical student, busy at work. She was helping an F1 patient fill out her declaration form and taking a test sample. Then she recorded the number of people at her residence, inspected her house and checked to see if the woman would be allowed to quarantine at home. When she finished, a doctor requested a quick test of someone showing symptoms, who had just came in for a Covid-19 shot. Vinh prepared the equipment.
Thai Thi Hoang Anh wears protective clothing. Photo: Thanh Tran
Another medic takes Vinh to an apartment block near the Tho Quang fishing port, where three family members are listed F1. There’s no elevator, so Vinh sprints up to the fourth floor, sweating under her face mask. When she arrives, she lines up everyone out in the hallway to wait for the sample-takers. After that, Vinh leaves for another nearby residence of six people, including an infant. She warns everyone to comply strictly with the quarantine regulations and to eat, drink, and exercise every day. This continues until dusk, when Vinh finishes work.
Recently, most infections in Danang have been transmitted through the community. “There are many cases where I need to move fast, especially when an F1 person falls ill and needs to be tested quickly prior to hospital admission,” says Trang. “The patients give me a hard time if I’m slow, careless, hurt them or remind them to stay in the cordoned-off area, it’s like being everyone’s servant,” she laughs. Trang also talks about moments as she trembled in fear when the quick tests came out positive. However, she has now become fearless and at ease in her protective clothing.
Nguyen Xuan Vinh takes samples at a home in Son Tra. Photo: Thanh Tran
As Tet approaches, everyone is anxious to return to their hometowns, especially those tied down since the pandemic surged in May. However, they have much to consider before leaving. Perhaps they will unexpectedly be forced to spend time in quarantine somewhere or encounter infected travelers on the way. Or should they interrupt their volunteer work while the pandemic is still thriving? “If the center still needs me, I’m ready to stay on,” said Nguyen Nhat Linh, without hesitation, and Trang agreed with her.
(Media Center)