The surgery took place on the afternoon of 6/9 at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center, using recently installed state-of-the-art laparoscopic equipment. The patient, originally from Khanh Hoa, is a fisherman who was working on a boat approximately 50 nautical miles offshore. He was brought to the island for emergency treatment after experiencing fever and pain in his lower right abdomen, which was diagnosed as acute appendicitis.
Doctor Ly Bao Duy from Binh Dan Hospital, one of seven experienced doctors from major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City on a one-month rotation at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center since 3/9, consulted remotely with the hospital's board of directors and decided to perform the laparoscopic appendectomy.
The patient is in stable condition after the surgery and is expected to be discharged soon. Without doctors stationed in Con Dao, patients requiring similar procedures would have to travel by boat to the mainland, most likely to Soc Trang, and then by road to a hospital. This journey would take several hours, potentially endangering the patient, especially during inclement weather.
"Having doctors on the island to perform timely surgery gives me peace of mind and saves me from the hardship, expense, and loneliness of traveling far from home without family," the patient said.
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The surgical and anesthesia team from Binh Dan Hospital along with doctors and nurses from the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center during the first laparoscopic surgery in Con Dao. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health |
The surgical and anesthesia team from Binh Dan Hospital along with doctors and nurses from the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center during the first laparoscopic surgery in Con Dao. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health
Tang Chi Thuong, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, described the surgery as a significant advancement in healthcare in Con Dao. It provides residents with access to modern medical techniques without the need for transfer to the mainland, demonstrating the effectiveness of the rotating doctor program.
The rotation program, initiated on 3/9, aims to bring quality medical services to remote islands, embodying the motto "leaving no one behind, even in the farthest reaches," and reflects the dedication of the city's healthcare system following its consolidation. The roster of participating doctors is currently full through the end of 2026.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health also organizes numerous short-term specialized medical missions focusing on ophthalmology, dentistry, and otorhinolaryngology. Other medical support initiatives are also being established at the Con Dao Military-Civilian Medical Center, such as a mobile blood bank implemented by Hung Vuong Hospital, a hemodialysis system managed by Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital, and standardized operating room procedures overseen by Binh Dan Hospital.
Doctors follow safety protocols before making the incision. Video: Binh Dan Hospital
Le Phuong
