Floodwaters began entering the clinic area near the main gate of Huu Lung Regional Medical Center yesterday evening. By noon 8/10, the entire first floor of the hospital was submerged, leading to the relocation of nearly 300 patients to the second floor. In the first-floor patient rooms, water reached knee-level, mixed with mud. Hospital staff attempted to pump water out or use sandbags to block entrances, but these efforts could not stop the dirty water.

The hospital is currently striving to maintain its generator to ensure continued patient treatment. However, rising floodwaters have caused significant damage to facilities, despite some equipment being moved to higher ground. Critical equipment, such as the ct scanner, could not be moved in time and was damaged by the floodwaters. Three ambulances remain immobile, submerged in the flood.

Medical staff and patients are experiencing severe shortages of food, drinking water, and essential supplies. The hospital issued an appeal for aid, and fortunately, the situation has now stabilized.

Lang Son province has experienced heavy rainfall in recent days due to the remnants of Typhoon Matmo. Meteorological agencies recorded rainfall exceeding 200 mm in some areas, including Mau Son with 205 mm, from 19h on 5/10 to 19h on 6/10. From 19h on 7/10 to 7h today, Quyet Thang received 195 mm of rain. The rushing water inundated hydropower reservoirs, putting pressure on dam structures. The Bac Khe dam, located 100 km from Huu Lung, breached yesterday afternoon, causing water to surge downstream.

Ambulances at Huu Lung Regional Medical Center parked in the flooded yard. Photo: Hospital provided

Additionally, many commune health stations in the area have become isolated due to rapidly rising floodwaters. Health stations in Huu Lung, Yen Binh, and Van Nham (specifically the Nhat Tien outpost) are deeply submerged, making it difficult for staff to move medical equipment.

At the Yen Binh commune health station, the x-ray room was heavily damaged by floodwaters. Many doctors and nurses are unable to reach the facilities due to deep flooding, numerous cut-off roads, and disrupted communication systems in several locations. Consequently, patient examination and treatment services are significantly affected, with some even interrupted.

Thuy Quynh