The Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre Region 2 (Da Nang MRCC) announced on Monday that it had successfully rescued two critically ill patients on the Cham Islands in Quang Nam Province.

Da Nang MRCC promptly brings two patients in distress on the Cham Island to the mainland for treatment on the night of December 24.

Earlier around 5:30 pm on Sunday, the Viet Nam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Viet Nam MRCC) received urgent information that on the Cham Island, two unidentified patients, residing in Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, were diagnosed by the Tan Hiep Military and Civilian Hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding and poor prognosis.

If they did not get timely access to specialised medical care, the clinic here was not qualified for medical treatment.

At this time, the Cham Island was isolated due to harsh weather with winds at level 7, and gustiness of levels 8 to 9, sea waves from 3 - 4m high, and strong rough sea. No means of vehicles were capable of reaching the island.

The Border Guard Command of Quang Nam Province requested the Viet Nam MRCC to provide medical support and urgently bring the patients back to shore for treatment.

Faced with the critical and life-threatening illness of two patients, Viet Nam MRCC urgently coordinated with the Da Nang Emergency Centre 115 to carry out the rescue mission for the patients on the Cham Island.

Overcoming harsh weather conditions, at 8:20 pm on the same day, rescue ship SAR 274, sent by Da Nang MRCC, approached the Cham Island, performed on-site emergency treatment for the petients and quickly brought them back to the mainland for treatment.

At 10:00 pm, the rescue ship SAR 274 brought both patients safely to Da Nang and handed them over to the authorities according to regulations.

Initially, two patients overcame the critical situation and their lives were saved. The Da Nang Emergency Centre 115 then transferred the victims to a local hospital for further treatment.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG