Overnight transfer saves stroke patient unable to afford surgery

A 44-year-old woman suffering a brain hemorrhage was saved after her family made an urgent overnight transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho for surgery, as they could not secure enough funds for the upfront hospital fees.

A 44-year-old woman, Thu Van, was saved after an urgent overnight transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho for emergency brain surgery. Her family struggled to pay upfront hospital fees, highlighting a common challenge for many in Vietnam.

Van had been working in Ho Chi Minh City when she experienced a sudden, severe headache, vomiting, and seizures. Her family took her to a local hospital, where doctors diagnosed a brain hemorrhage requiring immediate surgery. As she lacked health insurance and the hospital demanded an advance payment, her family could only gather just over 10 million VND. Unable to cover the costs, they decided to transfer her to Can Tho based on a friend's recommendation.

On 6/8, Van was admitted to S.I.S Can Tho International General Hospital. Doctor Phan Trinh Minh Hieu, deputy executive director, confirmed her condition as a brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, necessitating urgent intervention. CT scans at the hospital further confirmed a brain hemorrhage with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, measuring approximately 2x3 mm.

The medical team performed an aneurysm clipping surgery immediately after assessing her condition. Currently, her health is showing progress, and she continues to be monitored.

Doctors performing intervention on the patient. Photo: Hospital provided.

Doctor Hieu emphasized the critical nature of such cases. A ruptured cerebral aneurysm causes brain hemorrhage, carrying a risk of death or neurological complications if not treated urgently. In these situations, the timing of intervention is a factor in determining treatment outcomes.

Van's family, originally from An Giang, had moved to Ho Chi Minh City nearly 20 years ago to make a living. She worked as a domestic helper, while her husband was a hired driver. With a child, they lived in a rented room in Thu Duc. Since Van's hospitalization, her husband had to stop working to care for her, making the costs far exceed their ability to pay.

The cost for Van's treatment was approximately 200 million VND. Following the surgery, the Mekong Delta Stroke Patient Charity Fund provided the family with 67 million VND in support. The hospital also offered assistance for intervention costs and medical supplies. Doctor Hieu explained that the fund was established to aid stroke patients in difficult circumstances, ensuring they receive timely treatment when unable to afford it.