Heavy rain, coupled with the discharge from the Vuc Mau water reservoir, caused Hoang Mai Medical Center in Hoang Mai ward (formerly Hoang Mai town) to flood more than 1 m deep starting the afternoon of 16/9. Situated below National Highway 1, the center regularly experiences flooding during prolonged rainfall.

Hoang Mai Medical Center currently has over 91 staff members, including doctors and personnel, across 13 departments and rooms. Each day, it serves over 200 outpatients and 120-140 inpatients.

By noon on 17/9, the water had receded by 30-40 cm. However, the entrance and surrounding grounds of the center remained nearly 1 m deep.

Corridors and functional rooms on the first floor were about 30 cm deep. Despite the flooding, all examination and emergency activities continued normally. "The water rose quickly. Medical staff were helping to move patients from the first floor to the second floor, while also elevating equipment, medical supplies, and medicines to protect them from the water", medical staff Le Thi Trinh said.

A room in Block E, Pediatrics Department, was flooded, with many beds surrounded by water.

Truong Quang Loi, an emergency duty staff member, stated that during the flood, the center still admitted about 50 patients. Cases deemed mild were discharged after consulting with management. Water overflowed into the supply warehouse, prompting nurse Phan Thi Thanh Nhan to move medicine and supplies to higher ground while wading through water to retrieve medicine for patients.

Flooding prevented many patients from going out to buy food; relatives brought supplies.

Tran Duc Hai, 66 years old, residing in Quynh Mai ward, was admitted to the hospital the afternoon of 16/9 due to high blood sugar and was advised by doctors to undergo inpatient treatment. That evening, as water flooded his room, he was transferred to the second floor.

"The room has two beds, but currently three more patients have to share. I hope the water recedes soon so I can focus on treatment", Mr. Hai said.

Police forces were on duty, arranging boats to transport patients in and out of the hospital.

Heavy rain from the early morning of 16/9 caused deep flooding in many areas of Nghe An, disrupting traffic. Across the province, over 100 houses were submerged 0,6-2 m deep, and 45 households were evacuated to safety. Some residential areas and roads in Quynh Luu and Hoang Mai were also flooded 30-50 cm, forcing residents to reroute. By the morning of 17/9, water had receded in many areas.

About 2 km from the current Hoang Mai Medical Center is a new facility in Quynh Mai ward, which received an investment of over 60 billion VND and began construction in 2020. Phase one of the project is largely complete but cannot yet be used due to pending design adjustments and a lack of funds.

With the current facility being crowded and deeply flooded every rainy season, the center's leadership and local residents hope the new facility will be completed and operational soon to meet the healthcare needs of the area.

Duc Hung