Promoting the legacy of Great Physician Le Huu Trac

At Ca Mau Medical College , the statue of Hai Thuong Lan Ong is solemnly placed right at the main gate. The statue was built in 2000. This is also the only place in the province where the statue of the Great Physician is placed. The incarnation of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac carries a profound meaning, honoring the noble tradition of the medical profession, with humanistic values, sacrifice, devotion and responsibility for public health. "His image is also a living symbol of a dedicated teacher and ferryman, always putting the interests of patients first, thereby inspiring and motivating generations of staff and students in their work, study, research, as well as taking care of public health," said Mr. Huynh Ngoc Linh, Principal of the Medical College.

Students of Ca Mau Medical College offer incense to commemorate Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac.

According to historical records, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac (also known as Le Huu Huan) was born in the year of Giap Thin 1724, in Lieu Xa village, Duong Hao district, Thuong Hong prefecture, Hai Duong town (now Lieu Xa commune, Yen My district, Hung Yen province). As a child, the Great Physician Le Huu Trac was famous for his excellent study. At the age of 16, his father passed away, so he had to leave the capital to return to his hometown to mourn his father and take care of his family. In his hometown, Le Huu Trac focused on studying to advance his career through the imperial examinations, but only passed the exam to the level of Sinh Do and then retired.

In 1746, after his eldest brother passed away, Le Huu Trac asked to leave the army to take care of his old mother and orphaned grandchildren in Bau Thuong village, Tinh Diem commune (now Quang Diem commune, Huong Son). Due to his constant illness, Le Huu Trac went to the house of physician Tran Doc in Thanh Son for treatment. On this occasion, he read the book "Phung Thi Cam Nang" by Phung Trieu Truong - a famous physician under the Qing Dynasty (China). Through discussion, it was realized that Le Huu Trac was knowledgeable about the yin-yang theory of medicine, so Tran Doc taught him medicine. From then on, Le Huu Trac devoted himself to learning medicine and curing people.

In 1782, the reputation of physician Hai Thuong Lan Ong reached the capital, Lord Trinh summoned Le Huu Trac to the capital to treat the crown prince Trinh Can and Lord Trinh Sam. However, because the lord and the crown prince were both very sick, he was not sure that he could cure them. Therefore, Le Huu Trac tried every way to retire and return to his hometown. During this trip, Le Huu Trac wrote the book "Thuong Kinh Ky Su". Returning to his mother's hometown, Le Huu Trac continued to practice medicine, compiled and completed the book "Lan Ong Tam Linh". He died on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year Tan Hoi (1791).

After the Great Physician passed away, his prescriptions and books were widely circulated and used; his medical, literary, and medical ethics legacies were highly appreciated, studied, and followed by many generations of students and researchers. With his great contributions to Vietnamese and world medicine, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac was honored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Cultural Celebrity.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnam Doctors' Day, generations of teachers and students of Ca Mau Medical College have been carrying out many meaningful activities. Among them, the most meaningful activity is to coordinate with the Department of Health and the Provincial Oriental Medicine Association to organize a solemn incense offering ceremony at the statue of Mr. Hai Thuong Lan Ong, thereby arousing the pride and responsibility of the younger generation. Mr. Huynh Ngoc Linh proudly said: "The statue of Mr. Hai Thuong Lan Ong is not only a work of art but also a "school" of professional ethics. Every time students and staff come to school, his image always reminds us of the noble mission of the medical profession - that is dedication, kindness and sacrifice for the community. The statue contributes to shaping the soul, nurturing ethical traditions and motivating each individual to constantly strive and make efforts for a humane and advanced healthcare system".

Every year, on the occasion of the Vietnamese Doctors' Day, the medical generation of the province gathers at Ca Mau Medical College to offer incense to Mr. Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac and report on the achievements that the province's medical sector has achieved in the past year.

As a second-year nursing student, Le Thi Ngoc Huynh expressed her determination: “I also have siblings in my family who are in the medical profession, and I myself want to take care of the elderly and the sick, so I have dreamed of becoming a nurse since I was young. After 2 years of studying at the school, in addition to acquiring medical knowledge, we have also been imbued with medical ethics, including learning and promoting the tradition of the Great Physician. With the will and spirit of the young generation of the medical profession, I will be determined to study well, improve my medical knowledge, so that after graduating, I can take good care of people's health, promote medical ethics, and follow Uncle Ho's teaching "a good doctor is like a mother".

With the responsibility of training human resources for the province's health sector, since its establishment, Ca Mau Medical College has trained over 20,000 students in the following majors: Physicians, Nurses, Midwives, Pharmacists, Rehabilitation Technicians, Traditional Medicine, Preventive Medicine with college and intermediate levels, with many forms of regular training, transfer and vocational training including hamlet/quarter health, short-term training courses. In addition, it also trains and fosters new knowledge and skills in specialties and professional expertise for health sector officials and employees throughout the province. Up to now, generations of medical students of the school have become skilled doctors, trained at university and postgraduate levels, working at hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities throughout the province and outside. Among them are those holding leadership positions in the industry.

Mr. Linh believes: "The school will strive to nurture the next generation of young medical professionals, who are both virtuous and professional, highly skilled and have strong medical ethics, contributing to improving the province's human resources and providing comprehensive care for the people's health"./.

Source: https://baocamau.vn/phat-huy-di-san-cua-dai-danh-y-le-huu-trac-a37422.html