A 54-year-old woman was admitted to Tu Du Hospital's second facility, operational for just over 10 days, suffering from abdominal pain around the navel and lower abdomen. An ultrasound confirmed acute appendicitis. The surgical team from Le Van Thinh Hospital, working at the facility on rotation, performed a laparoscopic appendectomy, concluding at 17:15 on 21/11. The patient is recovering well.
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Surgical doctors from Le Van Thinh Hospital performing a laparoscopic appendectomy at Tu Du Hospital 2 - Can Gio, 21/11. *Photo: Hospital provided.*
Tang Chi Thuong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, hailed this as a turning point in expanding the "bringing doctors closer to the people" model, particularly in remote areas such as Can Gio. Previously, patients suffering from acute abdominal pain faced journeys of 40-60 km to the city center for surgery. This increased the risk of complications from delays and imposed significant travel costs.
Tu Du Hospital's second facility, a 300-bed hospital, commenced operations on 10/11. It is built on the site of the former Can Gio District Medical Center, functioning as a linked general hospital. Tu Du Hospital serves as the core institution for obstetrics and gynecology. Other first-class specialized and general hospitals in the city, including Le Van Thinh, Nhi Dong Thanh Pho, Mat, Tai Mui Hong, Rang Ham Mat, and Y Hoc Co Truyen, rotate their doctors to provide support, ensuring professional capacity equivalent to higher-level hospitals.
According to Mr. Thuong, this linked model enhances local emergency response capabilities, enables emergency surgeries, and facilitates treatment for common surgical conditions. This approach aims to reduce medical disadvantages for residents of remote areas like Can Gio, ensuring they are not "medically underserved" compared to those in the inner city.
Recently, Ho Chi Minh City has intensified efforts to enhance healthcare capacity in remote areas like Con Dao and Can Gio. This initiative aligns with the objective of "leaving no one behind", aiming to ensure equitable and timely access to medical services for all residents. Can Gio, a coastal district, is undergoing rapid development in marine economy, tourism, and seaports. The demand for healthcare services for residents, workers, experts, and tourists is projected to rise significantly with the upcoming implementation of the Can Gio International Transshipment Port Project and the ecological marine urban area.
Le Phuong
