A total of 12 doctors from hospitals in Da Nang and Ha Noi recently spent a day at the medical station in Savannakhet Province’s Kaysone Phomvihane District in Laos giving free medical examinations and medicines to over 500 local residents.

50-year-old Ms Pom Thay said in Vietnamese with a slight accent “I came to the station very early this morning to wait for my examination by the Vietnamese doctors”.

Despite the hot weather, the doctors were very patient in explaining the heath conditions to the Laotian patients.

Dr Tran Cong Ngai from the Da Nang General Hospital said “During this morning, a total of 2 patients were diagnosed with liver tumors, 5 others with gallstones, another 5 with nephrolithiasis, and many people with steatohepatitis”.

The Laotian citizens very patiently waited their turn for examination.  Many of them expressed their deep gratitude to the Vietnamese doctors.

A local elderly resident held hands tightly with Dr Truong Thi Phuong from the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital and said “My son-in-law is a Da Nang resident.  I am told that Da Nang is a beautiful city but I have never had the chance to visit. Thank you for giving me my medical examination”.

An elderly Laotian patient (1st right) expressing her thanks to Vietnamese doctors

Many of the Laotians expressed their thanks to the Vietnamese doctors by trying to speak such Vietnamese words as ‘xin chao’ and ‘cam on’.  This helped to warm the hearts of the doctors and made them feel as if they were working in their hometown.

A leader from Savannakhet Province, Mr Phu Khong, said “This meaningful programme plays a vital role in helping the Laotian people in Kaysone Phomvihane District enjoy the great benefits of such good healthcare services.  This also provides a great opportunity for the district’s doctors to learn and exchange their experiences with the doctors from Viet Nam”.

The Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Nguyen Cong Tien, said “I have visited many foreign countries, but nowhere else expresses such deep sentiments for the Vietnamese doctors as Laos.  This clearly shows how close the friendly relationship is between the people of the two countries”.